Synthesis and structure of a bis-ortho-chelated aryllithium compound: 2,3,5,6-tetrakisphenyllithium dimer

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/recl.19881070607

The reaction of 1,2,4,5-(Me2NCH2)4C6H2 with one equivalent of n-butyllithium affords Li22 (1).The molecule consists of a dimeric unit containing three-centre, two-electron lithium-bonded aryl groups.The distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere of the lithium atoms is completed by two N-coordinating ortho-CH2NMe2 substituents.Complex 1 is the first dimeric aryllithium compound characterized in which the coordination around lithium is completed solely by intramolecular donating hetero atoms.