Syntheses and structures of bis(2,6-xylyl-nacnac) copper(I) complexes

The copper(I) complexes {(bis-2,6-dimethylphenyl-penta-2,3-diiminato)Cu}(2)(mu-toluene), 3 has been prepared and its reactivity against Lewis bases and nitrous oxide investigated. Complex 3 crystallizes as a toluene-bridged dimer and forms mono- and dinuclear benzene adducts in C6D6 solution. It does not coordinate excess THF, but reacts quantitatively with 1 equiv. of acetonitrile. Reaction with 2,6-xylyl isonitrile yields (bis-2,6-dimethylphenyl-penta-2,3-diiminato) Cu(2,6-xylyl isonitrile), 5, (nu(CN) = 2123 cm (1)), which was characterized by an X-ray diffraction study. Complex 3 does not react with nitrous oxide in either C6D6 solution (5 days 50 degrees C) or in diethyl ether (13 days at ambient temperature). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.