Ca(ii), Yb(ii) and Tm(iii) complexes with tri- and tetra-anions of 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene.

Reduction of [(dpp-bian)2-M2+(thf)4] (M = Ca, 1; Yb, 6; dpp-bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) by alkali metals results in heterometallic, [(dpp-bian)3-M2+K+(thf)2]2 (M = Ca, 2; Yb, 7), [(dpp-bian)4-Ca2+A2+(thf)4]2 (A = Na, 3; Li, 4; K, 5), [(dpp-bian)4-Yb2+K2+(thf)4]2 (8) and [(dpp-bian)24-Yb32+K2+(thf)8] (9). The reduction of [(dpp-bian)TmBr(thf)n] (in situ) affords [(dpp-bian)4-Tm3+Na+(thf)]2 (10).