An isolable, metastable, geometrically unique manganese(IV) trihydrazide complex poised for reactivity.

A metastable Mn(IV) tris(N,N')diphenylhydrazide complex, Li(2)Mn(κ(2)-N(2)Ph(2))(3) (1) has been prepared, and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and spectroscopic techniques. Mn precursors are reacted with LiNH(t)Bu to form an intermediate manganese-imido mixture, which reacts with N,N'-diphenylhydrazine, oxidizing the metal, and forming 1. Despite ease of formation, 1 is poised for reactivity, as loss of ether ligand triggers reductive elimination of azobenzene. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011