The recent isolation of [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp'3Ln] (Ln = Y and all the lanthanides except Pm due to its radioactivity; Cp' = C5H4SiMe3) demonstrated for the first time that the entire lanthanide series can form complexes with the metal in the +2 oxidation state and that the electronic ground state configurations of the +2 ions are affected by their coordination environment. The (Cp'3)3− coordination environment is unique in that, to date, it is the only coordination environment to allow isolation of Ln2+ complexes across the series. This talk reviews recent attempts to move beyond (Cp'3)3− with the goal of isolating more stable examples of Ln2+ using a tris(aryloxide)mesitylene ligand, [(Ad,MeOAr)3mes]3−, in order to study effects of the coordination environment on the electronic structure of Ln2+ ions in complexes. A structural comparison with the previously reported U2+ analog, [K(2.2.2-cryptand)]{U[(Ad,MeOAr)3mes}, will be made. Reactivity of the Ln2+ complexes will also be discussed.

Synthesis and reactivity of organometallic divalent lanthanide compounds using a tris(aryloxide)mesitylene ligand

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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