Synthesis, structures and reactivity of rare earth aryloxides and formamidinates

This Thesis is concerned with three primary themes. Firstly, it describes the synthesis and structural characterisation of rare earth aryloxide and formamidinate complexes by two free metal-based routes which do not involve using mercury reagents. Secondly, it focuses on synthesis and structural characterisation of rare earth (La and Y) formamidinate tetramethylaluminate complexes by protolysis of homoleptic lanthanoid species ([Ln(AlMe4)3]) and their catalytic activity in isoprene polymerisation. Lastly, it describes the preparation and structural characterisation of group 13 (Al and Ga) formamidinate complexes.