Structural snapshots of the rearrangement of the bis(di-tert-butyl-aminophenyl)amine pincer ligand in the presence of transition metal ions

Abstract

The bis(di-tert-butyl-aminophenyl)amine ligand H₃L^N,N,N was reacted with Mn(II), Co(II), Fe(III) and Cu(II) salts in air. The ligand undergoes oxidative transformations, which involve intra and intermolecular C–N and N–N bond formations. A rare aromatic C–N bond cleavage leading to a C–O bond has also been observed.