Synthesis and structural characterization of unusual amido samarium(III) complexes

Reaction of SmCl3 with two and three equivalents of lithium hexamethyldisilylamide affords the amido samarium complexes 1 and 2 in 62 and 58% yield, respectively. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal the covalent dimeric structure of 1 and ion-pair monomeric structure of 2. The factors that control the coordination number and agregation state of these complexes are discussed.