Bis(amidinate) ligands in early lanthanide chemistry - synthesis, structures, and hydroamination catalysis.

Bis(amidinate) ligands attached to rigid dibenzofuran and phenanthrene backbones have been introduced into lanthanide chemistry for the first time. Depending on the ligand and on the lanthanide source, either bi- and tetra-metallic macrocycles or monometallic complexes were obtained. The mono- and bi-metallic systems were compared in terms of their reactivity in the intramolecular hydroamination reaction. Depending on the catalyst used (mono vs. bimetallic) different rate laws were observed.