The coordination of 18-crown-6 to Ce[N(SiMe3)PhF]3 (PhF = pentafluorophenyl) results in a κ2-18-crown-6 complex, a unique coordination mode for an f-block cation. The κ2-18-crown-6 complex showed exchange with free 18-crown-6 in solution and facile rearrangement of the crown ligand into a κ6-18-crown-6 cerium complex.
