Synthesis and characterization of bis[4-<i>N</i>-(cyclohexylimino)-2-pentanonato]magnesium(II)

Abstract

A novel β-ketoimine, 4-N-(cyclohexylimino)-2-pentanone, was synthesized and reacted with dibutyl magnesium to afford the desired magnesium bis(β-ketoiminate). The complex, bis[4-N-(cyclohexylimino)-2-pentanonato]magnesium(II), has been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Crystallographic analysis shows the four-coordinate complex to be homoleptic and monomeric in the solid state. The geometry around the Mg(II) atom is a distorted tetrahedron. The bulky cyclohexyl groups provide enough steric bulk about magnesium to inhibit intermolecular interactions. The crystal structure of the complex is triclinic, space group , with a = 8.301(3), b = 11.301(4), c = 12.023(4) Å, α = 75.840(6), β = 88.867(6), γ = 84.611(6)°, Z = 2. The two normal Mg–O and Mg–N bond lengths are, respectively, 1.9162(11), 1.9265(11) and 2.0699(13), 2.0822(12) Å.