Effect of the Alkali-Metal Cation on the Bonding Mode of 2,5-Dimethylpyrrole in Divalent Samarium and Ytterbium Complexes

The reactions of SmI2(THF)2 and YbI2(THF)2 with the alkali-metal salts of 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, or the reaction of SmCl3(THF)3 and YbCl3(THF)3 with the same ligands followed
by reduction with the appropriate alkali metals, led to the formation of divalent mono- and
polynuclear complexes. Structural analysis of these complexes indicated that the bonding
mode adopted by the ligand depends on the nature of the alkali-metal cation retained in the
structure.