Abstract
Two equivalents of the bidentate ligands, 2.4-(R)2-6-(CH2NHR′)PhOH (where R′ = alkyl and R = H (L1) and tBu(L2)) are combined with LiAlH4 to form unique chelated aluminates of the form [(L1)2Al]Li(THG)2 (R′ = iPr (1), iBu (2), tBu (3), Dipp (4) (Dipp = 2,6-(iPr)2Ph)) and [(L2)2Al]Li(THF)2(R′ = iPr (5), iBu (6), tBu (7)). Compound 7 undergoes a salt elimination when combined with Me2AlCl to form the bimetallic derivative, (L2)2Al (AlMe2) (R′ = tBu (8)). By comparison a related reaction with [ArO4Al][Li(thi)4] (Ar = 2,4-(tBu)2Ph (9)) leads to elimination of one of the aryloxide groups and the consequent formation of neutral species. All of the compounds were characterized by Mp, analyses, 1H NMR, IR and, in the case of 4 and 7–9, by X-ray crystallography.