SYNTHESIS OF SYMMETRICAL POLY(PYRIDIN-2-YL)ETHANE LIGANDS

Reaction of lithium derivatives of pyridin-2-ylmethanes, (C5H4N)CRR′^- Li ⁺, with mercury(II) iodide results in precipitation of mercury, and formation of symmetrical poly(pyridin-2-yl)ethanes [(C5H4N)CRR]2 (R = H, R' = Ph; R = Me, R' = Ph; R = R' = Me; R = C5H4N, R' = H; R = C5H4N, R′ = Me). For [(C5H4N)CRPh]2 (R = H, Me) mixtures of the meso and racemic diastereoisomers were found. Two of the products, [(C5H4N)CHPh]2 and [(C5H4N)2CH]2, were obtained in high yield, and readily form palladium(n) acetate complexes, Pd(O2CMe)2(rac-[(C5H4N)CHPh]2) and [Pd(O2CMe)2]2[(C5H4N)2CH]2. The synthesis of 2-(1-phenylethyl)pyridine and a convenient route to bis(pyridin-2-yl)methane are described. © 1985, CSIRO. All rights reserved.<p></p>