The synthesis, x-ray crystal structures and reaction chemistry of homoleptic and heteroleptic organolanthanoid complexes incorporating the N,N-dimethylaminomethylphenyl ligand.

Full details are provided on the synthesis and characterization of the heteroleptic and homoleptic lanthanoid aryl complexes (eta(8)-C(8)H(8))Ln[o-C(6)H(4)CH(2)N(CH(3))(2)](THF) [Ln = Er, Lu] and Ln[o-C(6)H(4)CH(2)N(CH(3))(2)] [Ln = Er, Yb, Lu] incorporating the sterically demanding, internally chelating N,N-dimethylaminomethylphenyl ligand. The x-ray crystal structure of (eta(8)-C(8)H(8)Lu[o-C(6)H(4)CH(2)N(CH(3))(2)](THF) has been determined. The reaction chemistry of both the heteroleptic and homoleptic complexes with typical small molecule substrates has been investigated. Reaction with sterically demanding terminal alkynes yields readily characterized alkynide derivatives.