Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of organoyttrium complexes with chiral binaphthyl-based amidate ligands

Abstract: Two new chiral organoyttrium amidate complexes 1 -Y[N(SiMe3)2]2 ( 3 ) and 2 -Y[N(SiMe3)2]2·C6H12 ( 4 ·C6H12) have been readily prepared in good yields by silylamine elimination reaction between Y[N(SiMe3)2]3 and chiral binaphthyl-based amidate ligands, (R)-2,2′-bis(mesitoylamino)-1,1′-binaphthyl (1) and (S)-2-(mesitoylamino)-2′-(dimethylamino)-1,1′-binaphthyl (2), respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, elemental analyses, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Complexes 3 and 4 are active catalysts for the polymerization of rac-lactide, leading to the isotactic-rich polylactides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]