UCLA

Reliable transformation of low-cost rare-earth metal oxides to organometallic rare-earth metal complexes is a prerequisite for the advancement of non-aqueous rare-earth metal chemistry. We have recently developed an in situ method to prepare rare-earth alkyl and halide precursors supported by a diamidoferrocene NNTBS, 1,1′-fc(NSiMe2tBu)2, as an ancillary ligand. Herein, we extended the scope of this method to other lanthanide ions including those that are redox active, such as cerium, praseodymium, samarium, terbium, thulium, and ytterbium. Specifically, samarium trisbenzyl could be generated in situ and then converted to the corresponding samarium benzyl or iodide complexes in good yield. However, it was found that ytterbium trisbenzyl could not be formed cleanly and the consequent conversion to ytterbium iodide complex was low yielding. By adapting an alternative route, the desired ytterbium chloride precursor could be obtained in good yield and purity.