Coordinative versatility in main group complexes of C-2,6-terphenyl substituted amidinates

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of two C-2,6-terphenyl substituted amidines, N,N′-dicyclohexyl-2,6-di(4-tolyl)benzamidine and N,N′-dicyclohexyl-2,6-dimesitylbenzamidine, are described. Both crystallize as the E-syn isomer, though interconversion between the E-syn and Z-syn isomers is observed for both in solution. These amidines are readily deprotonated by either n-butyllithium in THF or AlMe3 in toluene, affording the THF solvated lithium and dimethylaluminium amidinate complexes respectively. These complexes have been characterized in the solid-state using single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The identity of the 2,6-substituents on the secondary arene rings of the terphenyl group plays..