Trimethylyttrium, supported by the neutral tridentate
ligand Me3TACN (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane),
is readily
synthesized from (Me3TACN)YCl3 (via salt metathesis
with MeLi in THF) or [YMe3]
n
(via Me3TACN-donor addition in toluene). Such discrete
complex (Me3TACN)YMe3 reacts with trimethylchlorosilane
according to a silane elimination protocol, affording well-defined
mixed methyl/chlorido complexes of the composition [(Me3TACN)YMe3–x
Cl
x
] (x = 1, 2, 3). All complexes were characterized
by X-ray diffraction, homo- and heteronuclear NMR (especially 89Y) and FTIR spectroscopies, and elemental analysis. The reaction
of heteroleptic complex [(Me3TACN)YMe2Cl] with
dibenzyl ketone was investigated.