Proton Conducting Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) via Post Synthetic Transmetallation and Water Induced Structural Transformations.

Post Synthetic Modification (PSM) of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) is a crucial strategy for developing new MOFs with enhanced functional properties compared to their parent one. PSM can be accomplished through various methods:1) modification of organic linkers; 2) exchange of metal ions or nodes; and 3) inclusion or exchange of solvent/guest molecules. Herein, PSM of bimetallic and monometallic MOFs containing biphenyl dinitro-tetra-carboxylates (NCA) are demonstrated. The tetra carboxylate NCA, produces monometallic Cd-MOF-1 and Cu-MOF-1 and bimetallic CoZn-MOF in solvothermal reactions with the corresponding metal salts. The CoZn-MOF undergoes post-synthetic transmetallation with Cd(NO3)2 and Cu(NO3)2 in aqueous solution to yield Cd-MOF-2 and Cu-MOF-2, respectively. Additionally, green crystals of Cu-MOF-1 found to undergo a single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformation to blue crystals of Cu-MOF-3 upon dipped into water at room temperature. These MOFs demonstrate notable proton conductivities ranging from 10-3 to 10-4 S cm-1 under variable temperatures and humidity levels. Among them, Cu-MOF-3 achieves the highest proton conductivity of 1.36×10-3 S cm-1 at 90 °C and 98 % relative humidity, attributed to its continuous and extensive hydrogen bonding network, which provides effective proton conduction pathways within the MOF. This work highlights a convenient strategy for designing proton-conducting MOFs via post-synthetic modification.

Complexes of a Frustrated Lewis Pair-Supported P(-1) Ligand.

Several complexes of the intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP)-supported P(-1) ligand [iPr2P(C6H4)BCy2{P}]- are presented (Cy=cyclohexyl). Chief among these is the first example of a monomeric zinc bis(phosphido) complex, which was synthesized as a potential precursor for the solution-phase deposition of Zn3P2. While this goal was ultimately unsuccessful, the Zn(II) complex acts as a convenient springboard to other metal phosphide species via transmetallation: affording a tellurium bis(phosphido) complex and a formal adduct of the phosphorus subhalide PPCl2. Trapping experiments show that the PPCl2 adduct can also be prepared directly through the in situ reduction of PCl3 in the presence of an intramolecular FLP ligand. Lastly, we report a formal η2-phosphaborene complex of cobalt(-1) which is isoelectronic to olefin complexes, and explore its bonding via density functional theory (DFT) computations.

Lateral Heterometal Junction Rectifier Fabricated by Sequential Transmetallation of Coordination Nanosheet.

Heterostructures of two-dimensional materials realise novel and enhanced physical phenomena, making them attractive research targets. Compared to inorganic materials, coordination nanosheets have virtually infinite combinations, leading to tunability of physical properties and are promising candidates for heterostructure fabrication. Although stacking of coordination materials into vertical heterostructures is widely reported, reports of lateral coordination material heterostructures are few. Here we show the successful fabrication of a seamless lateral heterojunction showing diode behaviour, by sequential and spatially limited immersion of a new metalladithiolene coordination nanosheet, Zn3 BHT, into aqueous Cu(II) and Fe(II) solutions. Upon immersion, the Zn centres in insulating Zn3 BHT are replaced by Cu or Fe ions, resulting in conductivity. The transmetallation is spatially confined, occurring only within the immersed area. We anticipate that our results will be a starting point towards exploring transmetallation of various two-dimensional materials to produce lateral heterojunctions, by providing a new and facile synthetic route.

f-block MOFs: A Pathway to Heterometallic Transuranics.

A novel series of heterometallic f-block-frameworks including the first examples of transuranic heterometallic 238 U/239 Pu-metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and a novel monometallic 239 Pu-analog are reported. In combination with theoretical calculations, we probed the kinetics and thermodynamics of heterometallic actinide(An)-MOF formation and reported the first value of a U-to-Th transmetallation rate. We concluded that formation of uranyl species could be a driving force for solid-state metathesis. Density of states near the Fermi edge, enthalpy of formation, band gap, proton affinity, and thermal/chemical stability were probed as a function of metal ratios. Furthermore, we achieved 97 % of the theoretical maximum capacity for An-integration. These studies shed light on fundamental aspects of actinide chemistry and also foreshadow avenues for the development of emerging classes of An-containing materials, including radioisotope thermoelectric generators or metalloradiopharmaceuticals.

Heteropolymetallic Architectures as Snapshots of Transmetallation Processes at Different Degrees of Transfer.

Novel heteropolymetallic architectures have been built by integrating Pd, Au and Ag systems. The dinuclear [(CNC)(PPh3 )Pd-G11 M(PPh3 )](ClO4 ) (G11 M=Au (3), Ag (4); CNC=2,6-diphenylpyridinate) and trinuclear [{(CNC)(PPh3 )Pd}2 G11 M](ClO4 ) (G11 M=Au (6), Ag (5)) complexes have been accessed or isolated. Structural and DFT characterization unveil striking interactions of one of the aryl groups of the CNC ligand(s) with the G11 M center, suggesting these complexes constitute models of transmetallation processes. Further analyses allow to qualitatively order the degree of transfer, proving that Au promotes the highest one and also that Pd systems favor higher degrees than Pt. Consistently, Energy Decomposition Analysis calculations show that the interaction energies follow the order Pd-Au > Pt-Au > Pd-Ag > Pt-Ag. All these results offer potentially useful ideas for the design of bimetallic catalytic systems.

Europium is Different: Solvent and Ligand Effects on Oxidation State Outcomes and C-F Activation in Reactions Between Europium Metal and Pentafluorophenylsilver.

Unique outcomes have emerged from the redox transmetallation/ protolysis (RTP) reactions of europium metal with [Ag(C6 F5 )(py)] (py=pyridine) and pyrazoles (RR'pzH). In pyridine, a solvent not normally used for RTP reactions, the products were mainly EuII complexes, [Eu(RR'pz)2 (py)4 ] (RR'pz=3,5-diphenylpyrazolate (Ph2 pz) 1; 3-(2-thienyl)-5-trifluoromethylpyrazolate (ttfpz) 2; 3-methyl-5-phenylpyrazolate (PhMepz) 3). However, use of 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole (tBu2 pzH) gave trivalent [Eu(tBu2 pz)3 (py)2 ] 4, whereas the bulkier N,N'-bis(2,6-difluorophenyl)formamidine (DFFormH) gave divalent [Eu(DFForm)2 (py)3 ] 5. In tetrahydrofuran (thf), the usual solvent for RTP reactions, C-F activation was observed for the first time with [Ag(C6 F5 )(py)] in such reactions. Thus trivalent [{Eu2 (Ph2 pz)4 (py)4 (thf)2 (µ-F)2 }{Eu2 (Ph2 pz)4 (py)2 (thf)4 (µ-F)2 }] (6), [Eu2 (ttfpz)4 (py)2 (dme)2 (µ-F)2 ] (7), [Eu2 (tBu2 pz)4 (dme)2 (µ-F)2 ] (8) were obtained from the appropriate pyrazoles, the last two after crystallization from 1,2-dimethoxyethane (dme). Surprisingly 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Me2 pzH) gave the divalent cage [Eu6 (Me2 pz)10 (thf)6 (µ-F)2 ] (9). This has a compact ovoid core held together by bridging fluoride, thf, and pyrazolate ligands, the last including the rare µ4 -1η5 (N2 C3 ): 2η2 (N,N'): 3κ(N): 4κ(N') pyrazolate binding mode. With the bulky N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)formamidine (DippFormH), which often favours C-F activation in RTP reactions, neither oxidation to EuIII nor C-F activation was observed and [Eu(DippForm)2 (thf)2 ] (10) was isolated. By contrast, Eu reacted with Bi(C6 F5 )3 and Ph2 pzH or tBu2 pzH in thf without C-F activation, to give [Eu(Ph2 pz)2 (thf)4 ] (11) and [Eu(tBu2 pz)3 (thf)2 ] (12) respectively, the oxidation state outcomes corresponding to that for use of [Ag(C6 F5 )(py)] in pyridine.

Unveiling the Potential of Transition Metal Complexes for Medicine: Translational in Situ Activation of Metal-Based Drugs from Bench to in Vivo Applications.

The development of metal-based anticancer drugs has been hampered, among other reasons, by their lack of selectivity for cancer cells. In a recent article, Zou and co-workers presented the successful intracellular activation of organogold(I) complexes for potential cancer treatment through Pd(II)-mediated transmetallation, overcoming some off-target activity of novel gold-based drugs. This unique strategy builds the perfect bridge between metallodrug usage and bioorthogonal intracellular catalysis for more advanced and selective therapies. Such an approach will hopefully pave the way for forthcoming studies in medicinal inorganic chemistry.

Bioconjugated technetium carbonyls by transmetalation reaction with zinc derivatives.

The transmetalation reaction between zinc dithiocarbamates functionalized with organic groups and the cation fac-[99mTc(H2O)3(CO)3]+ has been studied as a new strategy to bind biomolecules to this radionuclide for preparing radiopharmaceuticals with high molar activity. All complexes were obtained in high yields by heating at moderate temperatures and without subsequent purification. The chemical identity was ascertained by HPLC comparison with the homologous rhenium complexes. Stability studies in cysteine solution and serum have shown a good stability of the coordination set fac-[99mTc(CO)3(SS)(P)]. Preliminary biological studies of the radiocomplex functionalized with D-(+)-glucosamine with carcinoma cells have been performed.

New Bioconjugated Technetium and Rhenium Folates Synthesized by Transmetallation Reaction with Zinc Derivatives.

The zinc dithiocarbamates functionalized with folic acid 2Zn and 3Zn were synthesized with a simple straightforward method, using an appropriated folic acid derivative and a functionalized zinc dithiocarbamate (1Zn). Zinc complexes 2Zn and 3Zn show very low solubilities in water, making them useful for preparing Tc-99m radiopharmaceuticals with a potentially high molar activity. Thus, the transmetallation reaction in water medium between the zinc complexes 2Zn or 3Zn and the cation fac-[99mTc(H2O)3(CO)3]+, in the presence of the monodentate ligand TPPTS, leads to the formation of the 2 + 1 complexes fac-[99mTc(CO)3(SS)(P)] bioconjugated to folic acid (2Tc and 3Tc). In spite of the low solubility of 2Zn and 3Zn in water, the reaction yield is higher than 95%, and the excess zinc reagent is easily removed by centrifugation. The Tc-99m complexes were characterized by comparing their HPLC with those of the homologous rhenium complexes (2Re and 3Re) previously synthesized and characterized by standard methods. Preliminary in vivo studies with 2Tc and 3Tc indicate low specific binding to folate receptors. In summary, Tc-99m folates 2Tc and 3Tc were prepared in high yields, using a one-pot transmetallation reaction with low soluble zinc dithiocarbamates (>1 ppm), at moderate temperature, without needing a subsequent purification step.

Trans-Metal-Trapping: Concealed Crossover Complexes En Route to Transmetallation?

Defined as the transfer of ligands from one metal to another, transmetallation is a common reaction in organometallic chemistry. Its chemical celebrity stems from its role in important catalytic cycles of cross-coupling reactions such as those of Negishi, Sonogashira, Stille, or Suzuki. This article focuses on trans-metal-trapping (TMT), which could be construed as partially complete transmetallations. On mixing two distinct organometallic compounds, of for example lithium with aluminium or gallium, the two metals meet in a crossover co-complex, but the reaction ceases at that point and full transmetallation is not reached. Though in its infancy, trans-metal-trapping shows promise in transforming failed lithiations into successful lithiations and in stabilising sensitive carbanions through cooperative bimetallic effects making them more amenable to onward reactivity.

Can Bismuth Replace Mercury in Redox Transmetallation/Protolysis Syntheses from Free Lanthanoid Metals?

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)bismuth has been examined as a potential replacement for diarylmercurials in redox transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) syntheses of reactive rare earth compounds from free rare earth metals, HgAr2 , and a proligand HL. Thus, the lanthanoid pyrazolates, [Ln(Ph2 pz)3 (thf)3 ] (Ph2 pz=3,5-diphenylpyrazolate; Ln=La, 1, Ce, 2, Nd, 3, Tb, 4; thf=tetrahydrofuran), [Ln2 (Ph2 pz)4 (OMe)2 (dme)2 ]⋅2 dme (Ln=Ho, 5, Er, 6, Tm, 7, Lu, 8; dme=1,2-dimethoxyethane), [Ln(Ph2 pz)3 (dme)2 ] (Ln=Dy, 9, Sm, 10), [Ln(tBu2 pz)3 (thf)2 ] (tBu2 pz=3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolate; Ln=La, 11, Ce, 12, Sm, 13, Gd, 14, Dy, 15, Ho, 16, Tm, 17, Yb, 18, Lu, 19), [Ln(ttfpz)3 (thf)3 ] (ttfpz=3-(2'-thienyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolate; Ln=La, 20, Sm, 21), and [Er(PhMepz)3 (thf)2 ] 22 (PhMepz=3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazolate) have been prepared in good yields by redox transmetallation/protolysis reactions employing lanthanoid metals and trispentafluorophenylbismuth [Bi(C6 F5 )3 ]⋅0.5 diox (diox=1, 4-dioxane) in donor solvents. This is a new and efficient synthetic route in which Bi(C6 F5 )3 replaces the commonly used Hg(C6 F5 )2 or HgPh2 , and provides proof of concept for the method. [Ln2 (Ph2 pz)4 (OMe)2 (dme)2 ]⋅2 dme (5-8) complexes are derived from C-O bond activation of dme on crystallization of the initial products from this solvent, and are dimeric methoxide-bridged species. Other structures are monomeric with η2 -bound pyrazolate ligands and nine-coordinate metal atoms for complexes 1-4, 9-10 and 20-21, and eight-coordinate metal atoms for complexes 11-19 and 22.

Homo- and Heteroligand Poly-NHC Metal Assemblies: Synthesis by Narcissistic and Social Self-Sorting.

Homoleptic and heteroleptic cylinder-shaped poly-NHC metallosupramolecular assemblies [Ag3 (L)2 ](BF4 )3 have been prepared by control of the shape, size, and electronic properties of disk-shaped trisimidazolium salts of type H3 -L(BF4 )3 . Both imidazolium salts with an electron-deficient triazine backbone H3 -A(BF4 )3 or an electron-rich benzene backbone H3 -D(BF4 )3 have been employed. Reaction of H3 -A(BF4 )3 or H3 -D(BF4 )3 with Ag2 O yield trinuclear homoligand complexes [Ag3 (L)2 ](BF4 )3 (L=A, D). However, equimolar mixtures of H3 -A(BF4 )3 and H3 -D(BF4 )3 react with Ag2 O under social self-sorting to give the heteroligand assembly [Ag3 (A)(D)](BF4 )3 . The same heteroligand assembly was obtained by transmetallation from mixtures of complexes [Ag3 (A)2 ](BF4 )3 and [Ag3 (D)2 ](BF4 )3 . The transmetallation from [Ag3 (A)(D)](BF4 )3 to [Au3 (A)(D)](BF4 )3 is also demonstrated. The study expands to concepts of narcissistic and social self-sorting from classical Werner-type ligands to organometallic NHC chemistry thereby opening new routes for the construction of poly-NHC metal assemblies with increasing complexity.

A Monoaryllead Trichloride That Resists Reductive Elimination.

Transmetallation of Pb(OAc)4 with R2 Hg (1), followed by treatment with HCl in Et2 O, provided RPbCl3 (2), the first kinetically stabilized monoorganolead trihalide that resists reductive elimination under ambient conditions. The kinetic stabilisation relies on an intramolecularly coordinating O-donor substituent (R=6-Ph2 P(O)-Ace-5-). The gram-scale preparation of 2 was key for the synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted diaryllead dichlorides RR'PbCl2 (3 a, R'=Ph; 3 b, R'=4-MeOC6 H4 ; 3 c, R'=4-Me2 NC6 H4 ).

Hypervalent iodine-guided electrophilic substitution: para-selective substitution across aryl iodonium compounds with benzyl groups.

The reactivity of benzyl hypervalent iodine intermediates was explored in congruence with the reductive iodonio-Claisen rearrangement (RICR) to show that there may be an underlying mechanism which expands the reasoning behind the previously known C-C bond-forming reaction. By rationalizing the hypervalent iodine's metal-like properties it was concluded that a transmetallation mechanism could be occurring with metalloid groups such as silicon and boron. Hypervalent iodine reagents such as Zefirov's reagent, cyclic iodonium reagents, iodosobenzene/BF3, and PhI(OAc)2/BF3 or triflate-based activators were tested. A desirable facet of the reported reaction is that iodine(I) is incorporated into the product thus providing greater atom economy and a valuable functional group handle for further transformations. The altering of the RICR's ortho-selectivity to form para-selective products with benzyl hypervalent iodine intermediates suggests a mechanism that involves hypervalent iodine-guided electrophilic substitution (HIGES).

Assembling Porphyrins into Extended Network Structures by Employing Aromatic Dicarboxylates: Synthesis, Metal Exchange, and Heterogeneous Catalytic Studies.

Three new metal-organic porphyrinic framework compounds of zinc and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TPyP) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions. The compounds [Zn5 (C40 H24 N8 )(C8 H4 O4 )2 (NO3 )6 (DMA)2 ] (DMA)3 (H2 O)8 (1; DMA=dimethylacetamide), [Zn3 (C40 H24 N8 )(C8 H4 O4 )2 (DMF)](DMF)5 (H2 O)12 (2), and [Zn3 (C40 H24 N8 )(C12 H6 O4 )2 (DMA)2 ](H2 O)7 (3) have two (1) and three dimensionally (2 and 3) extended structures. All the three structures contain porphyrinic units connected through the carboxylate linkers. The nitrates bind the metal centers and are not hydrogen bonded. The different binding modes of nitrate in the structure of 1 are observed for the first time in a porphyrin-based MOF. The openness of the structure allowed us to explore metal exchange through a room-temperature metathetic route. Compound 2 undergoes 100 % exchange with copper, whereas compound 3 exchanges 70 % with copper. The copper-exchanged compounds Cu∈2 and Cu∈3 were observed to be good heterogeneous catalysts for many important organic reactions. The chemo and regioselective enamination of ß-ketoesters, preparation of propargylamine derivatives as well as regioselective cycloadditions of alkyne and azide (click reactions) have been carried out with good yields and selectivity. All the compounds have been characterized by PXRD, IR, UV/Vis, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (for Cu exchange).

Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reactions of Highly Fluorinated Arylboronic Esters: Catalytic Studies and Stoichiometric Model Reactions on the Transmetallation Step.

Fluorinated 4-aryl phenylalanine amino acid derivatives (aryl=2-C5 NF4 , 4-C6 H4 SF5 , 2-C6 H4 SCF3 , C6 F5 ) were obtained in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of phenylalanine precursors with highly fluorinated aryl boronic acid and esters in the presence of CsF. PdII complexes that possessed phenyl alanine derived ligands, such as trans-[PdBr{4-C6 H4 CH2 CH{NHC(O)CH3 }CO2 Et}(PiPr3 )2 ], were used as catalysts. Stoichiometric model reactions indicate the intermediate generation of the boronate Cs[BF(2-C5 NF4 )(pin)] (pin=pinacolato=O2 C2 Me4 ). The transmetallation step with Cs[BF(4-C6 H4 SF5 )(pin)], [NMe4 ][BF(2-C5 NF4 )(pin)] and/or the fluorido complex trans-[PdF{4-C6 H4 CH2 C{NHC(O)CH3 }(CO2 Et)2 }(PiPr3 )2 ] was investigated. A comparison of the reactions of trans-[PdX{4-C6 H4 CH2 C{NHC(O)CH3 }(CO2 Et)2 }(PiPr3 )2 ] (X=Br, F) with 2-Bpin-C5 NF4 or [NMe4 ][BF(2-C5 NF4 )(pin)] revealed the remarkable high reactivity of the fluorido complex towards 2-BpinC5 NF4 . Low-temperature NMR studies indicated the ionic species trans-[Pd{4-C6 H4 CH2 C{NHC(O)CH3 }(CO2 Et)2 }(PiPr3 )2 ][BF(2-C5 NF4 )(pin)] to be a highly reactive intermediate.

A Zinc Catalyzed C(sp3 )-C(sp2 ) Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction Mediated by Aryl-Zincates.

The Suzuki-Miyaura (SM) reaction is one of the most important methods for C-C bond formation in chemical synthesis. In this communication, we show for the first time that the low toxicity, inexpensive element zinc is able to catalyze SM reactions. The cross-coupling of benzyl bromides with aryl borates is catalyzed by ZnBr2 , in a process that is free from added ligand, and is compatible with a range of functionalized benzyl bromides and arylboronic acid pinacol esters. Initial mechanistic investigations indicate that the selective in situ formation of triaryl zincates is crucial to promote selective cross-coupling reactivity, which is facilitated by employing an arylborate of optimal nucleophilicity.

Highly Enantioselective Ferrocenyl Palladacycle-Acetate Catalysed Arylation of Aldimines and Ketimines with Arylboroxines.

Benzylic N-substituted stereocenters constitute a frequent structural motif in drugs. Their highly enantioselective generation is hence of technical importance. An attractive strategy is the arylation of imines with organoboron reagents. Chiral Rh complexes have reached a high level of productivity for this reaction type. In this article we describe that an electron rich PdII catalyst also performs well in the arylation of aldimines, comparable to the best Rh catalysts. The ferrocenyl palladacycle-acetate catalyst allows for a broad substrate scope and very high enantioselectivities. Commonly observed side reactions like aryl-aryl homocouplings and imine hydrolysis could be blocked. Mechanistic studies implicate that a) the acetate ligand is crucial for transmetallation, b) the active catalyst is most likely a palladacycle-OAc monomer, c) the rate limiting step is probably the product release. By added KOAc the arylation could also be applied to ketimines.

Chemoselective Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling via Kinetic Transmetallation.

Chemoselective Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling generally requires a designed deactivation of one nucleophile towards transmetallation. Here we show that boronic acids can be chemoselectively reacted in the presence of ostensibly equivalently reactive boronic acid pinacol (BPin) esters by kinetic discrimination during transmetallation. Simultaneous electrophile control allows sequential chemoselective cross-couplings in a single operation in the absence of protecting groups.

Enhancing the Value of Free Metals in the Synthesis of Lanthanoid Formamidinates: Is a Co-oxidant Needed?

Treatment of N,N'-bis(aryl)formamidines (ArFormH), N,N'-bis(2,6-difluorophenyl)formamidine (DFFormH) or N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)formamidine (DippFormH), with europium metal in CH3 CN is an efficient synthesis of the divalent complexes: [{Eu(DFForm)2 (CH3 CN)2 }2 ] (Eu1) or [Eu(DippForm)2 (CH3 CN)4 ] (Eu2). The synthetic method was extended to ytterbium, but the metal required activation by addition of Hg(0) . With DFFormH in CH3 CN, [{Yb(DFForm)2 (CH3 CN)}2 ] (Yb1) was obtained in good yield, and [Yb(DFForm)2 (thf)3 ] (Yb3) was obtained from a synthesis in CH3 CN/THF. Thus, this synthetic method completely circumvents the use of either salt metathesis, or redox transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) protocols to prepare divalent rare-earth formamidinates. Heating Yb1 in PhMe/C6 D6 resulted in decomposition to trivalent products, including one from a CH3 CN activation process. For a synthetic comparison, divalent ytterbium DFForm and DippForm complexes were synthesised by RTP reactions between Yb(0) , Hg(R)2 (R=Ph, C6 F5 ), and ArFormH in THF, leading to the isolation of either [Yb(DFForm)2 (thf)3 ] (Yb3), or the first five coordinate rare-earth formamidinate complex [Yb(DippForm)2 (thf)] (Yb4 b), and, from adjustment of the stoichiometry, trivalent [Yb(DFForm)3 (thf)] (Yb6). Oxidation of Yb3 with benzophenone (bp), or halogenating agents (TiCl4 (thf)2 , Ph3 CCl, C2 Cl6 ) gave [Yb(DFForm)3 (bp)] or [Yb(DFForm)2 Cl(thf)2 ], respectively. Furthermore, the structural chemistry of divalent ArForm complexes has been substantially broadened. Not only have the highest and lowest coordination numbers for divalent rare-earth ArForm complexes been achieved in Eu2 and Yb4 b, respectively, but also dimeric Eu1 and Yb1 have highly unusual ArForm bridging coordination modes, either perpendicular µ-1κ(N:N'):2κ(N:N') in Eu1, or the twisted µ-1κ(N:N'):2κ(N':F') DFForm coordination in Yb1, both unprecedented in divalent rare-earth ArForm chemistry and in the wider divalent rare-earth amidinate field.