Synthesis of O,N,O P multidentate ligands and the formation of early–late heterobimetallic complexes

Abstract

Abstract A multidentate O,N,O P ligand 4 designed for early–late heterobimetallic (ELHB) complexes was synthesized. The ligand 4 has an O,N,O-tridentate ligand moiety and a triarylphosphine group. The O,N,O-moiety based on lutidine scaffold selectively coordinated to early transition metals such as titanium and niobium in the reaction with the corresponding metal alkoxides to form mononuclear complexes. Coordination of the triarylphosphine moiety to the niobium atom was negligible in the Nb-ONO P complex according to 31 P NMR spectroscopy, whereas a part of the phosphorus atom coordinated to the titanium atom in the Ti-ONO P complex. Addition of [PdCl(π-allyl)] 2 or [RhCl(cod)] 2 to the Nb-ONO P complex gave rise to the formation of ELHB complexes. Thus, the one-pot preparation of ELHB complexes was achieved by simple procedure.