Synthesis and characterization of N-aryloxo-functionalized β-ketoiminate rare-earth complexes and their catalytic activity for the polymerization of -caprolactone

The synthesis and characterization of dimeric rare-earth amides stabilized by a dianionic N-aryloxo functionalized β-ketoiminate ligand are described. Reactions of 4-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl) imino-2-pentanone (LH2) with Ln[N(SiMe3)2]3(μ-Cl)Li(THF)3 in a 1:1 molar ratio in THF gave the dimeric rare-earth amido complexes [LLn{N(SiMe3)2}(THF)]2 [Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Yb (3), Y (4)]. These complexes were well characterized, and the definitive molecular structures of complexes 3 and 4 were determined. It was found that complexes 1–4 can initiate the ring-opening polymerization of -caprolactone, and the ionic radii of the central metals have significant effect on the catalytic activity.