Synthesis of dialkylscandium complexes supported by β-diketiminato ligands and activation with tris (pentafluorophenyl)borane

Treatment of ScCl3. THF3 with the lithium salts of the ligands ArNC(R)CHC(R)NAr, where Ar = 2,6-Pr-i-C6H3 and R = CH3 and Bu-t, gives LScCl2. nTHF derivatives (R = CH3, n = 1, 1a; R = Bu-t, n = 0, 1b). These compounds can be derivatized by allylation with methyllithium or benzylpotassium. The dibenzyl compound prepared from 1a, when treated with B(C6F5)(3), gives an ion pair, 4, in which the cationic scandium center is stabilized by a eta(6)-aryl interaction with the abstracted berate benzyl group.