TRANSFORMATION OF THE BIS(TRIMETHYLSILYL)METHYL INTO AZA-ALLYL AND BETA-DIKETINIMATO LIGANDS - THE X-RAY STRUCTURES OF CYCLO([LI(N(R)C(BU(T))CH(R))](2) AND CYCLO[(ZR(N(R)C(BU(T))CHC(PH)N(R))CL-3] (R=SIME(3))

The reaction of LiCHR(2) with Bu(t)CN gives the eta(3)-aza-allyl [Li(LL')](2) 1, which in turn affords (i) the aza-allyls [{K(LL')}(n)] (with KOBu(t)), rac-[Zr(LL')(2)Cl-2] (with ZrCl4) and [Li{N(R)C(Bu(t))C(H)CH(R)Bu(n)}](2), (with successively CH2Br2 and LiBu(n)), (ii) the beta-diketinimates [M(L''L''')Cl-3] (M = Zr4 or Hf, via MCl(4)) and [Li(L''L''')](2) (with 2PhCN), and (iii) the imine RCH(2)C(Bu(t)):NR (with H2(O)); X-ray data are provided for 1 and 4 [LL' = N(R)C(Bu(t))CHR, L''L''' = N(R)C(Bu(t))C(H)C(Ph)NR; R = SiMe(3)].