Patent ID: 8236979

Claim:
A method of synthesizing a heteroleptic cyclopentadienyl transition metal precursor, comprising performing at least one reaction to form a metal containing precursor, wherein the metal containing precursor comprises a precursor of the general formula: M(R 1 —N—C(R 2 )═N—R 3 ) n (R 4 R 5 R 6 R 7 R 8 Cp) m L k (I) wherein: M is at least one member selected from the group consisting of: Mn; Fe; Ni; Co; Cu; Pd; Pt; Ag; Au; Ru; Os; Rh; Ir; and Re; (R 1 —N—C(R 2 )═N—R 3 ) is an amidine or guanidine ligand; (R 4 R 5 R 6 R 7 R 8 Cp) is a, substituted or unsubstituted, cyclopentadienyl ligand; R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 8 are independently selected from H; a C1-C5 alkyl group; and Si(R′) 3 , where R′ is independently selected from H, and a C1-C5 alkyl group; R 2 is independently selected from H; a C1-C5 alkyl group; and NR′R″, where R′ and R″ are independently selected from C1-C5 alkyl groups; L is a neutral ligand; 1≦m≦4 1≦n≦4; and 0≦k≦5, wherein the precursor is formed according to the synthesis reaction: wherein: X is independently selected from Cl; Br; and I; N is independently selected from Li; Na; and K; L and Q are neutral ligands; 0≦j≦5; and 0≦p≦5.