Ring and Cluster Structures of {Li[C(N^tBu)₂(HN^tBu)]}₂·(THF) and {Li₂[C(N^tBu)₃]}₂, Containing the Novel Anions [C(N^tBu)₂(HN^tBu)]⁻- and [C(N^tBu)₃]²⁻

Abstract

The reaction of tert.-butyl carbodiimide with one equivalent of LiNH^tBu in tetrahydrofuran at-78 °C produces {Li[C(N^tBu)₂(HN^tBu)]}₂-(THF) (1), which is an eight-membered Li₂C₂N₄ ring; the deprotonation of (1) with two equivalents of n-BuLi in tetrahydrofuran at -78 °C and recrystallisation of the product from n-pentane yielded the unsolvated dimer {Li₂[C(N^tBu)₃]}₂ (2), which adopts the structure of a distorted hexagonal prism.

Keywords::

• C-N-Li cluster
• carbodiimides
• hetero-trimethylene ligands