Lithium complexes of ketoimines and novel alkynyl imines and diimines : discoveries in the attempted synthesis of PACNAC

Abstract

Two different methodologies were used to attempt the synthesis of a novel P‐N ligand, denoted as PACNAC for the similarity to the analogous NACNAC and ACAC ligands. Although the synthesis of PACNAC was not successful, each methodology led to interesting discoveries. First, a number of lithium complexes of ketoimines were isolated and studied by Xray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy revealing some interesting substituent based effects on the structure, solubility and solution state behaviour. The X‐ray data of the two known and two related novel ketoimines were also collected and compared to the lithium complexes. Secondly, the synthesis of novel alkynyl imines along with the new alkynyl diimines by novel synthetic routes and studied by x‐ray crystallography, NMR, electrochemistry, and UV‐Visible spectra.