Synthesis and structure of tridentate bis(phosphinic amide)-phosphine oxide complexes of yttrium nitrate. Applications of 31P,89Y NMR methods in structural elucidation in solution.

The synthesis and characterisation of a tridentate ligand containing two diphenylphosphinic amide side-arms connected through the ortho position to a phenylphosphine oxide moiety and the 1:1 and 2:1 complexes formed with yttrium nitrate are reported for the first time. The free ligand (R(P1)*,S(P3)*)-11 is obtained diastereoselectively by reaction of ortho-lithiated N,N-diisopropyl-P,P-diphenylphosphinic amide with phenylphosphonic dichloride. Complexes [Y((R(P1)*,S(P3)*)-11)(NO(3))(3)] and [Y((R(P1)*,S(P3)*)-11)(2)(NO(3))](NO(3))(2) were isolated by mixing ligand 11 with Y(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O in acetonitrile at room temperature in a ligand to metal molar ratio of 1:1 and 2:1, respectively. The 1:1 derivative is the product of thermodynamic control when a molar ratio of ligand to yttrium salt of 1:1 is used. The new compounds have been characterised both as the solid (X-ray diffraction) and in solution (multinuclear magnetic resonance). In both yttrium complexes the ligand acts as a tridentate chelate. The arrangement of the two ligands in the 2:1 complex affords a pseudo-meso structure. Tridentate chelation of yttrium(III) in both complexes is retained in solution as evidenced by (89)Y NMR data obtained via(31)P,(89)Y-HMQC, and (89)Y,(31)P-DEPT experiments. The investigation of the solution behaviour of the Y(III) complexes through PGSE NMR diffusion measurements showed that average structures in agreement with the 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometries are retained in acetonitrile.