Syntheses and structures of bis(2,6-xylyl-nacnac) copper(I) complexes

The copper(I) complexes {(bis-2,6-dimethylphenyl-penta-2,3-diiminato)Cu}₂(μ-toluene), 3 has been prepared and its reactivity against Lewis bases and nitrous oxide investigated. Complex 3 crystallizes as a toluene-bridged dimer and forms mono- and dinuclear benzene adducts in C₆D₆ solution. It does not coordinate excess THF, but reacts quantitatively with 1 equiv. of acetonitrile. Reaction with 2,6-xylyl isonitrile yields (bis-2,6-dimethylphenyl-penta-2,3-diiminato)Cu(2,6-xylyl isonitrile), 5, (ν_CN = 2123 cm⁻¹), which was characterized by an X-ray diffraction study. Complex 3 does not react with nitrous oxide in either C₆D₆ solution (5 days 50 °C) or in diethyl ether (13 days at ambient temperature).