A Cobotic, digitally-controlled Schlenk line unlocks access to elusive Copper(II) bis-disilylamides

Bis(trimethylsilyl)amide ligands are ubiquitous in coordination chemistry for their ability to stabilize low-coordination numbers and provide soluble, and even volatile, metal complexes. Bis-silylamide complexes are known for the divalent ions of all first-row transition metals except for copper, which has been shown to be unstable to reduction. Herein, we demonstrate the stabilization and isolation of (DMAP)CuII(N{SiMe3}2)2 and investigate the role of the DMAP ligand and silylamide transfer reagent in the kinetics of this reaction. To undertake these studies we have utilized our newly developed ‘Cobotic’ Schlenk line which allows for digital control of the atmosphere under which we conduct our highly reac-tive syntheses. By digitizing Schlenk-line handling, we have improved synthetic productivity by creating protocols for automated inertization, solvent evaporation, liquid handling and crystallization all while capturing reaction log data. Importantly our Cu silylamide synthesis provides a case study showing that our cobotics approach allows for the discovery and isolation of unstable species which may remain elusive by traditional manual or fully autonomous methodologies.