Metallo-organic compounds containing metal–nitrogen bonds. Part VII. Synthesis and properties of bis-(NN′-diethylbutane-1,3-di-iminato) derivatives of cobalt( II ) 2 and zinc

The reaction of cobalt(II) chloride with lithium diethylamide has been investigated, the main products being metallic cobalt, lithium chloride, diethylamine, and a bis-(NN′-diethylbutane-1,3-di-iminato)cobalt(II) complex. A mechanism for the formation of this complex is suggested and its structure assigned on the basis of physical and chemical properties. Demetallation of the complex gave a base EtN:CH·CH·CH:C(Me)·NHEt and its hydrochloride, from which the analogous diamagnetic zinc derivative was prepared. The spectral and magnetic properties of the cobalt complex are consistent with a pseudo-tetrahedral configuration about the metal ion, with the ligands producing a very high ligand-field.