Synthesis and characterization of calcium complexes containing eta 2-pyrazolato ligands

Treatment of calcium bromide with 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolatopotassium (2 equiv) in tetrahydrofuran afforded Ca(tBu2pz)2(THF)2 (69%). The reaction of this compound with pyridine (3 equiv), tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA, 1 equiv), N,N,N',N',N"-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA, 1 equiv), triglyme (1 equiv), and tetraglyme (1 equiv) yielded Ca(tBu2pz)2(py)3 (51%), Ca(tBu2pz)2(TMEDA) (74%), Ca(tBu2pz)2(PMDETA) (50%), Ca(tBu2pz)2(triglyme) (73%), and Ca(tBu2pz)2(tetraglyme) (57%), respectively. Treatment of the tetrahydrofuran adduct of Ca(Me2pz)2, generated in situ, with PMDETA (1 equiv), triglyme (1 equiv), and tetraglyme (1 equiv) afforded Ca(Me2pz)2(PMDETA) (65%), Ca(Me2pz)2(triglyme) (54%), and Ca(Me2pz)2(tetraglyme) (40%), respectively. The X-ray crystal structures of Ca(tBu2pz)2(py)3, Ca(tBu2pz)2(TMEDA), Ca(tBu2pz)2(PMDETA), Ca(tBu2pz)2(triglyme), and Ca(Me2pz)2(PMDETA) revealed six-, seven-, or eight-coordinate calcium centers with eta 2-pyrazolato ligands. Ca(tBu2pz)2(triglyme) sublimes at 160 degrees C (0.1 mmHg). The potential utility of these complexes as source compounds for chemical vapor deposition processes is discussed.