Synthesis and characterization of β-diketiminato complexes of antimony (III) halides

Treatment of SbX3 (X = Br, Cl) with DippnacnacLi (Dippnacnac = [{N(C6H3iPr22,6)C(Me)}2CH]−) or Mesnacnac (Mesnacnac = [{N(Mes)C(Me)}2CH]−, Mes = 2,4,6, trimethyl benzene) affords different products that are dependent on the stoichiometry of the reaction and the halide precursor. When DippnacnacLi is reacted with SbBr3, C–H activation of the ligand backbone is observed and an asymmetric, bridged bromide dimer is isolated. In comparison, the reaction of SbCl3 with MesnacnacLi affords monomeric MesnacnacSbCl2. The solid-state structures were determined using X-ray crystallography.