Bimetallic and cationic aluminum with N3O2 chelate ligands

The ligands aminobis(N-ethylenesaricylidenimine) (SalenN(3)H(3)) and aminob is(N-propylenesalicylidenimine) (SalpenN(3)H(3)) were used to form the bime tallic complexes SaIenN(3)H{AlMe2}(2) (1), SalpenN(3)H{AlMe2}(2) (2), Salen N(3)H{AlMeCl}(2) (3) and SalpenN(3)H{AlMeCl} (4). When extracted in THF 3 a nd 4 redistribute to form the ionic compounds [SalenN(3)H{Al(THF)}](+) [AlM e2Cl2](-) (5) and [SalpenN(3)H{Al(THF)}](+) [AlMe2Cl2](-) (6). The compound s were characterized by Mp analyses, H-1-NMR and IR, and in the case of 2 a nd 6 by X-ray crystallography. Additionally, the potential of 5 and 6 to se rve as propylene oxide polymerization catalysts was examined. (C) 2000 Else vier Science S.A. All rights reserved.