Steric control of Mg–Mg bond formation vs. N2 activation in the reduction of bulky magnesium diamide complexes

Reduction of a bulky diamido-magnesium( ii ) complex has yielded the potassium salt of a dimagnesium( i ) dianion, whereas prior reduction of a bulkier analogue gave an activated N 2 complex. The relevance of ligand bulk in these processes is discussed.