N,N,O-Tridentate One-dimensional Methyl-bridged Heterobimetallic Complex: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Catalytic Activity

The sequential reaction of the N,N,O-tridentate ligand HOC(CH)CHN(Me)CHCHNMe(LH) in diethyl ether with AlEtCland MeLi afforded a lithium-aluminum complex containing a polymeric structure of one-dimensional chain [{-LiOC(CH)CHN(Me)CHCHNMe}AlMeCH}](1), which was characterized by ~1H,C NMR spectra, elemental analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in triclinic, space group P1 with a = 10.526(3), b = 10.949(3), c = 17.799(4) ?, β = 76.211(11)°, V = 1915.3(8) ?~3, D= 1.014 g·cm, F(000) = 648 and μ = 0.104 mm. In addition, the heterobimetallic complex 1 was used to catalyze the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley(MPV) reaction and exhibited excellent catalytic activities in good yield(up to 97%).