Abstract
In this work, a new asymmetric amidine-imine ligand, using 1,8-diaminonaphthalene as a rigid platform, was synthesized and characterized, and its ability to form complexes with aluminum(III) was investigated. Several aluminum complexes were synthesized and characterized in solution and in the solid state. The synthesis of a dihalogenated aluminum(III) complex (AlI(2)L) using a reducing agent revealed an atypical pathway, which was investigated using Density Functional Theory (DFT). The dimethylated aluminum complex AlMe(2)L and the dihalogenated aluminum complex AlI(2)L were evaluated as catalysts for the transformation of CO(2) and epoxides into cyclic carbonates in the presence of Bu(4)NI as a co-catalyst or in a single-component system, respectively. AlMe(2)L/Bu(4)NI appeared to be the most efficient system under 1 bar of CO(2) at 90 °C.