New reaction of β-diketiminatoeuropium complex: sterically induced oxidation–coupling of β-diketiminato ligands

Attempted synthesis of sterically demanding tris-β-diketiminate complexes of europium led to oxidation–coupling of β-diketiminates and the formation of the THF-solvated divalent europium complex Eu(L2,6-Me2)2(THF) (L2,6-Me2 = [{N(2,6-Me2C6H3)C(Me)}2CH]−), while the normal tris-β-diketiminate complex Eu(L2-Me)3 for the less bulky ligand L2-Me ([{N(2-MeC6H4)C(Me)}2CH]−) was isolated by the same procedure.