Reduction of Azobenzene by Naphthaleneytterbium: A Tetranuclear Ytterbium(<scp>III</scp>) Complex Combining 1,2‐Diphenylhydrazido(2−) and Phenylimido Ligands

Abstract

A planar Yb4N4 eight-membered ring capped by two μ3-phenylimido ligands is present in the ytterbium(III) complex [Yb4(μ2-η2:η2-Ph2N2)4 (μ3-PhN)2(thf)4] 1 (in the structure on the right only the ipso-C-atoms of the phenyl substituents are shown). 1 is accessible from naphthaleneytterbium and azobenzene and is of interest as model substance for N2 reduction by lanthanoid halides.