Several magnesium and zinc complexes stabilized by formamidinates were synthesized and structurally characterized. Comparison in structure indicated that the sterics of the substitutes on the supporting ligands completely dictated the geometry of the products. For magnesium complexes, when there was no bulky substitute on the ligands, a dimer bridged by two bromide ions was obtained. As the bulkiness of the substitutes increased, the conformation of the complexes changed from a dimer, to a monomer stabilized by two ligands, to a monomer stabilized by one ligand, and then to no desired product. Whereas, reactions with diethyl zinc produced di-zinc and tri-zinc complexes with ethyl groups being only partially removed. The zinc complexes exhibited unusual reactivities with small molecular substrates. A tetra-zinc cluster with an interstitial oxide was produced when a zinc compound reacted with a limit amount of oxygen donor reagent.

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivities of magnesium and zinc complexes supported by formamidinates

245th National Meeting (2013)

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