Racemic N-aryl bis(amidines) and bis(amidinates): On the trail of enantioselective organolanthanide catalysts

A series of racemic N-aryl-substituted trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexyl (t-1,2-DACH)-linked bis(amidines) were synthesised and their solution behaviour, and solid-state structures were investigated. The amidine functionalities within these compounds were extremely sterically hindered, with ortho-aryl substitution found to hinder N–Ar bond rotation. The results of these studies were used to rationalise the lack of reactivity of these compounds with [Y(N(SiMe₃)₂)₃]. Dilithiation of the t-1,2-DACH linked bis(amidines) did, however, proceed easily and the solution behaviour and solid-state structures of the resulting THF-solvated lithium amidinates were investigated. All the compounds showed similar structures in the solid-state, while NMR experiments indicated that the solid-state structures were likely to be maintained in solution. Attempted metathesis reactions with YCl₃did not, however, yield the desired yttrium chloride complexes.