Synthesis, characterization of the dilithium bis-azaallyl complex [CH2C(NAr)C(NAr)CH2]Li2(THF)4 and its catalytic activity for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The dilithium bis-azaallyl complex [CH2C(NAr)C(NAr)CH2]Li2(THF)4 (Ar=2,6-iPr2C6H3) was synthesized by the reaction of ArNC(CH3)C(CH3)NAr with 2 equiv. of lithium diisopropylamide. This complex exhibits good catalytic activity and stereoselectivity for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA).