Monomeric f-element chemistry with sterically encumbered allyl ligands

A new class of allyl-lanthanide salts of the type [K(thf)4][(C3H3(SiMe3)2)3LnI] (Ln=Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er) have been prepared and isolated by reaction of three equivalents of the 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)allyl anion with LnI3. The neutral complex [C3H3(SiMe3)2]3Nd(thf) has been isolated from the reaction of the triflate complex Nd(O3SCF3)3 with three equivalents of the 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)allyl anion. These complexes have been structurally characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction.