Abstract Two lipophilic tetradentate ligands, 5, 5′-di-t-butyl-and 5, 5′-dihexyl-2, 2′- bipyrimidine, were prepared via either Ullmann or nickel (0)-promoted reactions in low but useful yields. Approaches towards the synthesis of lipophilic ligands based on 2, 2′- biimidazole, namely 4, 4′, 5, 5′-tetrabutyl-2, 2′-biimidazole (from decane-4, 5-dione) and various 4, 4′, 5, 5′-tetra (arylamino)-2, 2′-biimidazoles (from 4, 4′, 5, 5′- ...
