A series of beta-diketiminate lead halide complexes has been synthesised LPbCl (2), LPbBr (3) and LPbI (4) (L = {N(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))C(Me)}2CH]), which includes a rare example of a three-coordinate lead iodide (4). The chloride and bromide complexes, 2 and 3, are relatively stable in both the solid and solution states, only slowly decomposing to elemental lead over the course of a month in solution, the lead iodide 4 appears to be less stable and decomposes after 3 d in the solid state at ambient temperatures. The lead chloride complex 2 was treated with KN(SiMe3)2 to yield an unusual terminal lead amide complex LPbN(SiMe3)2 (5). Unlike three-coordinate beta-diketiminate transition metal-halide complexes, the ligands are present in a pyramidal arrangement around the lead centre, commonly attributed to the presence of a stereochemically active lone pair. We have investigated the influence of this lone pair on the geometry of the metal halide complexes 2-4, as well as the isostructural germanium and tin complexes (6 and 7, respectively) using DFT calculations. The lone pair in the lead complexes is significantly more diffuse than in the tin and germanium analogues and only a small amount of hybridisation between the 6s and 6p orbitals is observed.

A series of terminal lead alkoxides have been synthesized utilizing the bulky beta-diketiminate ligand [{N(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))C(Me)}(2)CH](-) (BDI). The nucleophilicities of these alkoxides have been examined, and unexpected trends were observed. For instance, (BDI)PbOR reacts with methyl iodide only under forcing conditions yet reacts readily, but reversibly, with carbon dioxide. The degree of reversibility is strongly dependent upon minor changes in the R group. For instance, when R = isopropyl, the reversibility is only observed when the resulting alkyl carbonate is treated with other heterocumulenes; however, when R = tert-butyl, the reversibility is apparent upon any application of reduced pressure to the corresponding alkyl carbonate. The differences in the reversibility of carbon dioxide insertion are attributed to the ground-state energy differences of lead alkoxides. The mechanism of carbon dioxide insertion is discussed.

The successful synthesis of terminal lead aryloxides is shown to be dependent upon reaction conditions, including choice of solvent and alkali metal aryloxide precursor.

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