NCN trianionic pincer ligand precursors: synthesis of bimetallic, chelating diamide, and pincer group IV complexes.

This report details the synthesis of new NCN trianionic pincer ligand precursors and metalation reactions to form group (IV) complexes. N,N'-[1,3-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis-2,6-diisopropylaniline [2,6-(i)PrNCN]H(3) (8) was converted to the N,N'-substituted Si(IV), Sn(IV), Mg(II), and Zn(II) derivatives. [2,6-(i)PrNCHN](SiMe(3))(2) (9-Si) and [2,6-(i)PrNCHN](SnMe(3))(2) (9-Sn) form by first treating 8 with MeLi followed by Me(3)MCl, where M = Si or Sn.