Synthesis and characterisation of novel zirconium(iv) derivatives containing the bis-amido ligand SiMe2(NRR′)2

The silicon compounds SiMe2(NRR′)2 [NRR′ = NMe2 (1), NEt2 (2), NC4H8 (3), NHEt (4), NHiPr (5), NHtBu (6), NMeBu (7)] have been synthesised via aminolysis of the dichloro species SiMe2Cl2 and their ligating ability has been investigated towards zirconium(IV). The dimer zirconium compound {Zr[(NiPr)2SiMe2]2}2 (8) has been synthesised by reacting ZrCl4 with the lithium salt Li2[(NiPr)2SiMe2] and its molecular structure has been determined in the solid state by X-ray diffraction analysis. The reaction of ZrCl4 with SiMe2(NRR′)2 yields the Lewis adducts ZrCl4[(NRR′)2SiMe2] [NRR′ = NMe2 (10), NC4H8 (11), NHEt (12), NHiPr (13), NHtBu (14), NMeBu (15)]. On the other hand, the mixed amido derivative Zr(NMe2)3(NHMe)[(NtBu)SiMe2(NHtBu)] (9) has been obtained from the reaction of Zr(NMe2)4 with SiMe2(NHtBu)2. The solution molecular structure and dynamics of the zirconium derivatives have been elucidated by 1D and 2D multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.