Cerium(III) and Neodymium(III) Amides Derived from a Chelating 2-Pyridyl Amido Ligand

Homoleptic Ce(III) and Nd(III) triamides [LnL3] [Ln = Ce (1) or Nd (2)] and the heterobimetallic amide−alkoxide derivatives [LnL2(μ-OBut)2M(tmeda)] [Ln = Ce, M = Na (3); Ln = Nd, M = Na (4); Ln = Nd, M = K (5)] supported by the bulky [N(SiButMe2)(2-C5H3N-6-Me)]- ligand (L-) have been successfully synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1−3 and 5 show a high activity toward the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.