Very bulky CH(SiMe3)2 ligand allows formation of 3-coordinate complex. The pyramidal structure is very similar to that of lanthanide tris-silylamides
The donor functionalised amino-phenyl ligand achieves coordinative saturation at the metal
This hexamethyl 'ate' complex is 6-coordinate at the lanthanide, and so coordinative saturation is achieved
A lanthanide(II) alkyl complex
[Ln{C(SiMe3)3}2] are available for Eu and Yb. The C(SiMe3)3 ligand is very sterically demanding, and a non-bonded Ln-C interaction helps to satisfy the coordination requirements of the large Ln(II) ions