Cubane and step-form structures of dilithium bis(aryloxy)phosphines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/b710506a

The lithium complexes RP(3,5-^tBu₂C₆H ₂OLi)₂(THF)₄, where R = Ph or ⁱPr, (^R[OPO]Li₂)₂(THF)₄, synthesized by reaction of the 2-bromo-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol with BuLi and the appropriate dichlorophosphine, possess solid state structures composed of lithium oxide tetragons arranged in a step-form or face sharing half-cubane arrangements. Incorporation of excess lithium aryloxide results in the formation of complexes that display an extended step-form structure, [^Ph[OPO]Li ₂(ArOLi)]₂, or a distorted cubane arrangement of tetragons, [^iPr[OPO]Li₃Cl(ArOLi)](THF)₃. The Royal Society of Chemistry.