Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to metal complexes supported by anionic nitrogen-based ligands. / Chapter 2 describes the synthesis, structural characterization and reactivity of Mn(II), Fe(II) and Co(II) amides derived from the strongly electron-withdrawing [N(C6F5)(C6H3Pr i2-2,6)]- ligand (L 1). Twelve new compounds, including the ligand precursor HL 1, and three alkali-metal and eight late transition metal derivatives of L1, were prepared. Reactions of MCl2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co) with [Li(L1)(TMEDA)] (2) yielded the monoamido complexes [M(L1)Cl(TMEDA)] [M = Mn (5), Fe ( 6), Co (7)]. Treatment of [Li(L1)(THF) 3] with MCl2 (M = Fe, Co) afforded the diamido complexes [M(L1)2(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3] [M = Fe ( 8), Co(9)]. The reaction chemistry of the Co(II) complex 7 was investigated. Treatment of the Co(II) derivative 7 with LiMe, NaN3 and NaOMe gave the corresponding methyl-, azido- and methoxide-amide complexes, namely [Co(L1)(Me)(TMEDA)] ( 10), [Co(L1)(N3)(TMEDA)] (11) and [Co(L1)2(mu-OMe)Na(TMEDA)] (12), respectively. The solid-state structures of complexes 5--12 were determined by X-ray crystallography. / Chapter 3 reports on the synthesis and catalytic properties of lanthanide(III) complexes derived from the unsymmetrical [PhC(NSiMe3)(NC6 H3Pri2-2,6)] - ligand (L2). The lithium and potassium salts of L2, and eight lanthanide(III) derivatives of L2 were synthesized. A series of Ln(III) complexes of the general formula [Ln(L 2)2(mu-Cl)2Li(TMEDA)] [Ln = Y (17), Eu (18), Er (19), Lu (20)] and [Li(THF) 4][Ln(L2)2Cl2] [Ln = Ce ( 21), Nd (22), Sm (23)] were synthesized by the reactions of anhydrous LnCl3 with two molar equivalents of [Li(L2)(TMEDA)] (15). In addition, the neutral dimeric yttrium(III) complex [Y(L2)2(mu-Cl)] 2 (24) was also prepared by the reaction of anhydrous YCl 3 with the potassium amidinate [K(L2)]n (16). The catalytic properties of complexes 20--22 towards the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone were also studied in this work. / Chapter 4 reports on the coordination chemistry of L2 towards divalent lanthanide metal ions. Three neutral divalent lanthanide complexes, [Ln(L2)2(THF)n] [Ln = Sm, n = 2 (25); Ln = Eu, n = 2, (26); Ln = Yb, n = 1 (27)], were prepared by treatment of LnI2(THF) 2 with the potassium amidinate [K(L2)]n . The reaction chemistry of 25--27 as one-electron transfer reagents has been examined. This led to the isolation of six lanthanide(III) complexes (28--33). Treatment of 25--27 with PhEEPh (E = Se, Te) gave the corresponding Ln(III) chalcogenolate complexes [Ln(L2)2(mu-EPh)]2 [Ln = Sm, E = Se (28); Ln = Eu, E = Se (29); Ln = Sm, E = Te ( 31)] and [Yb(L2)2(SePh)(THF)] (30). Besides, the reaction of 27 with iodine resulted in the isolation of the iodide complex [Yb(L2)2(I)(THF)] ( 32), whilst treatment of 25 with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide led to [Sm(L2)2{CyNC(H)NCy}] (33). / Chapter 5 summarizes the results of this research work. A brief suggestion on future directions of this research project is also discussed. / The present research work was focused on the coordination chemistry of the highly electron-withdrawing [N(C6F5)(C6H 3Pri2-2,6)]- ligand and the unsymmetrical [PhC(NSiMe3)(NC6H 3Pri2-2,6)- ligand. The first part of this work was centered on the synthesis, structure and reactivity of late transition metal complexes supported by the [N(C6F5)(C6H3Pr i2-2,6)]- ligand (L 1). The second part of this work dealed with the chemistry of trivalent and divalent lanthanide complexes derived from the bulky [PhC(NSiMe3 )(NC6H3Pri 2-2,6)]- ligand (L2). / Yao, Shuang. / Adviser: Hung Kay Lee. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 71-01, Section: B, page: 0317. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Abstract not available