Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of organoyttrium complexes with chiral binaphthyl-based amidate ligands

Two new chiral organoyttrium amidate complexes 1-Y[N(SiMe3)2]2 (3) and 2-Y[N(SiMe3)2]2·C6H12 (4·C6H12) have been readily prepared in good yields by silylamine elimination reaction between Y[N(SiMe3)2]3 and chiral binaphthyl-based amidate ligands, (R)-2,2′-bis(mesitoylamino)-1,1′-binaphthyl and (S)-2-(mesitoylamino)-2′-(dimethylamino)-1,1′-binaphthyl , respectively. Complexes and have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, elemental analyses, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Complexes and are active catalysts for the polymerization of rac-lactide, leading to the isotactic-rich polylactides.