Synthesis, structure, and properties of the Sc chloride complex coordinated by the tridentate bis(phenolate)-tethered NHC ligand

The scandium chloride complex LScCl(py)(2) (L is bis[(2,4-di-tert-butyl)phenolato]-6,6 '-(4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene)) containing the dianionic bis(phenolate)-tethered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand was synthesized. The X-ray diffraction study demonstrated that the complex has a mononuclear structure with intramolecular coordination of the carbene moiety to the Sc3+ ion. In the presence of moist air, the NHC moiety is hydrolyzed, resulting in the formation of the chloride complex [L'ScCl(py)](2) with the dianionic tetradentate bis(phenolate) ligand containing the [NH(CH)(2)N(HC=O)] linker. The binuclear complex [L'ScClpy](2) is formed through the coordination of the oxygen atom of the formylethylenediamine moiety to the second Sc3+ ion.

Automated summary

In this study, a scandium chloride complex containing a dianionic bis(phenolate)-tethered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand was synthesized and its molecular structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. Under moist air, the NHC moiety undergoes hydrolysis, resulting in the formation of a chloride complex with a dianionic tetradentate bis(phenolate) ligand containing a [NH(CH)(2)N(HC=O)] linker.