Reactivity of β-Diketiminato Magnesium Alkyl Complexes: Heterocumulenes and Phosphanes

Heteroleptic β-diketiminate/amidinate magnesium complexes {(BDI)Mg[MeC(NCy)2]} and {(BDI)Mg[BnC(NCy)2]} (Bn = CH2C6H5; BDI = {[N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)C(Me)]2CH}) were synthesised by treatment of [(BDI)MgR(THF)] (R = Me, Bn) with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. Rare terminal magnesium phosphanide complexes [(BDI)Mg(PR′2)(THF)] (R′ = Cy, Ph) were synthesised through prolonged exposure of [(BDI)MgMe(THF)] with di-substituted phosphines. Spectroscopic and structural details of these complexes will be discussed.