Reversible Sm(III)/Sm(II) redox chemistry of an organosamarium(III) complex

A binuclear samarium(III) complex featuring the mu-eta(1):eta(1)-bound dianion of 1,4-di-tert-butyl-1,4-diazabuta-1,3-diene has been prepared which exhibits reversible redox behavior, reverting to the samarium(II) precursor when dissolved in tetrahydrofuran. The new samarium(III) complex has been characterized by H-1 and C-13 NMR spectral data, microanalytical data, magnetic moment measurements in solution, and an X-ray crystal structure determination.