Synthesis of a dinuclear complex with a Zr-2(mu-NH)(2) core in a two-phasesystem

Treatment of an equivalent amount of ZrCl4 with [(PNtBu)(2)(tBuNLi . THF)(2 )] in toluene affords the bis(tert-butylamido)cyclodiphosph(III)azane zirco nium complex LZrCl2 (1; L = (PNtBu)(2)(tBuN)(2)). Ammonolysis of compound 1 has been carried out in the two-phase system liquid ammonia/toluene at -78 degreesC in the presence of 2 equiv of KH to yield the imido (NH) bridged dinuclear zirconium derivative [(eta (3)-L)Zr(mu -NH)](2) (2). The molecula r structure of [(eta (3)-L)Zr(mu -NH)](2) (2) has been determined by X-ray diffraction.