Yttrium dialkyl supported by a silaamidinate ligand: synthesis, structure and catalysis on cyclotrimerization of isocyanates.

A sterically demanding silaamidine (ArN = Si(L)NHAr) ligand was synthesized and employed for the preparation of a yttrium dialkyl complex, which catalytically enabled the cyclotrimerization of isocyanate with high activity and excellent functional group tolerance.