A homoleptic η2 hydroxylaminato CeIV complex with S4 symmetry

An electron rich, air-stable hydroxylamine ligand and a strongly stabilized cerium(IV) hydroxylaminato complex are described. The synthesis of Ce[eta 2-ON(Bu-t)(2-OMe-5-Bu-t-C6H3)](4) (1) proceeded through a one pot protonolysis and oxidation procedure. Complex 1 crystallized with the molecule in exact S-4 symmetry. The hydroxylaminato ligands were bound in an eta 2 mode that is of interest for potential application in the separations chemistry of rare earth metals.