Synthesis and characterisation of complexes of the 2,6-diphenoxyphenyl ligand

Abstract The use of the 2,6-diphenoxyphenyl ligand has facilitated the stabilisation of lithium, silane and stannane complexes. The ortho -metallation reaction between 1,3-(PhO) 2 C 6 H 4 and n BuLi yields 2,6-(PhO) 2 C 6 H 3 Li ( 1 ); the crystallographically characterised dimer [2,6-(PhO) 2 C 6 H 3 Li(OEt 2 )] 2 ( [1.Et 2 O] 2 ) can be obtained by the crystallisation of 1 from diethyl ether. The reaction between 1 and Me 3 ECl gives rise to the structurally authenticated complexes 2,6-(PhO) 2 C 6 H 3 EMe 3 [E = Si, 2 ; E = Sn, 3 ].