Synthesis, structure and high catalytic activity in the Diels–Alder reaction of ytterbium(III) and yttrium(III) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide complexes

Abstract

The ytterbium(III) and yttrium(III) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide complexes ( 1a and 1b) have been synthesized from the corresponding metal oxides and 3 equiv. of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in refluxing water, as highly effective catalysts for the Diels–Alder reaction. The X-ray crystal analysis of the ytterbium(III) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide complex with N,N′-dimethylpropyleneurea ( 2a) recrystallized from N,N′-dimethylpropyleneurea and ethyl acetate reveals the mononuclear, hexa-coordinated and octahedral structure with six dimethylpropyleneureas.