A Novel Bulky Heteroaromatic-Substituted Methanide Mimicking NacNac: Bis(4,6-tert-butylbenzoxazol-2-yl)methanide in s-Block Metal Coordination.

A novel bulky bis(4,6-tBu-benzoxazol-2-yl)methane ligand was synthesized in a straightforward three-step synthesis. The corresponding complexes [Li{(4,6-tBu-NCOC6H2)(2)CH}THF], [K{eta(5)-(4,6-tBu-NCOC6H2)(2)CH}](infinity), and [MgCl{(4,6-tBu-NCOC6H2)(2)CH}(THF)(2)] were obtained upon metalation with alkaline or alkaline-earth-metal reagents. Reduction of [MgCl{(4,6-tBu-NCOC6H2)(2)CH}(THF)(2)] with potassium metal or KC8 led to the formation of the homoleptic compound [Mg{(4,6-tBu-NCOC6H2)(2)CH}(2)]. All compounds were fully characterized. Their solid-state structures as well as their behavior in solution, which was analyzed with the help of advanced NMR spectroscopic techniques, are discussed in detail.