Monomeric and dimeric V(III) complexes supported by organic amides

Reaction of VCl 3 (THF) 3 with two equivalents of R 2 NLi (R = Cy, Me 3 Si) yielded the two corresponding complexes (Cy 2 N) 2 V(μ-Cl) 2 Li(THF) 2 ( 1 ) and [(Me 3 Si) 2 N] 2 VCl(THF) ( 2 ). Both complexes decomposed in hot toluene. In the case of complex 1 the reaction led to dimerization and formation of the dimeric [(Cy 2 N) 2 V(μ-Cl)] 2 ( 3 ). Reaction of 2 with NaBH 4 yielded the unprecedented borohydride derivative [(Me 3 Si) 2 N] 2 V(BH 4 )(THF) ( 4 ). The structures of all the complexes were elucidated by X-ray analysis. Key words: vanadium, trivalent, amide, borohydride, dinuclear