Synthesis of Rare Earth Catalyst LLa[N(TMS)<sub>2</sub>]•DME(L=3,5-But<sub>2</sub>-2-HO-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>2</sub>CH-NH-C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>4</sub>N) and Catalytic Behavior for Polymerization of <i>Rac</i>-Lactide

A dianionic phenoxyamido ligand was the first to be used to stabilize organo-rare-earth mental amido complex. Amine elimination reaction of La[N(SiMe3)2]3(THF)2 with 3,5-But2-2-HO-C6H2CH-NH-C5H4N in a 1 : 1 molar-ratio gave the anionic phenoxyamido neodymium amide LLa[N(TMS)2]•DME (1) in a high isolated yield. Furthemore, the catalytic behavior of complex 1 for the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide was explored.