Li, Al, Sn and Zr complexes of bidentate N,N '-centred ligands

The N,N'-centred ligands [(NSiMe3)(2)-C6H4-1,2](2)- [A](2-) and [N(SiMe3)C( C6H4Me-P)N(Ph)][B](-) were prepared as their dilithium tmeda [Li(2)A(tmeda) (2)] or lithium diethyl ether adducts [LiB(Et2O)](2) respectively. The X-ra y structure of [LiB(OEt2)](2) is reported; ligand [B](-) is Cl-symmetric Bo th ligand were used in the preparation of Al, Sn(ll) and Zr(IV) complexes w hich were isolated and X-ray characterised. [SnA(tmeda)] 1, [ZrCl(2)A(tmeda )] 2 and [Al(Me)A] 3 are monomeric in the solid state whereas [(AlMe2)(2)A] (2) 4 is dimeric. Compounds [SnB2] 5 and [AlMeB2] 6 are monomeric in the so lid state and present a butterfly-like structure.