N,N,O-Tridentate One-dimensional Methyl-bridged Heterobimetallic Complex: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Catalytic Activity

The sequential reaction of the N,N,O-tridentate ligand HOC(CH2)(5)CH2N(Me)CH2CH2NMe2(LH) in diethyl ether with AlEtCl2 and MeLi afforded a lithium-aluminum complex containing a polymeric structure of one-dimensional chain [{-LiOC(CH2)(5)CH2N(Me)CH2CH2NMe2}AlMe2CH3-}(n)] (1), which was characterized by H-1, C-13 NMR spectra, elemental analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in triclinic, space group P (1) over bar with a = 10.526(3), b = 10.949(3), c = 17.799(4) angstrom, beta = 76.211(11)degrees, V = 1915.3(8) angstrom(3), D-c = 1.014 g.cm(-3), F(000) = 648 and mu = 0.104 mm(-1). In addition, the heterobimetallic complex 1 was used to catalyze the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reaction and exhibited excellent catalytic activities in good yield (up to 97%).