Preparation and structural characterisation of the cation-π complexes [{(Me₃Si)₂NK} · (^tBu-C₆H₅)]₂ and [{(Me₃Si)₂NK} · (Me₃-C₆H₃)]₂

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Randazzo, John B. | Jacob Morris, J. | Henderson, Kenneth W.

Affiliations: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: khenders@nd.edu

Abstract: Two new arene solvates [{(Me3Si)2NK} · (tBu-C6H5)]2 (1) and [{(Me3Si)2NK} · (Me3-C6H3)]2 (2) have been synthesised and characterised in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Each complex was prepared through dissolution of potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS) in either tert-butylbenzene or mesitylene followed by crystallisation. The crystal structures of both 1 and 2 are composed of dimeric K2N2 ring aggregates, where each of the metal centres is solvated by either tert-butylbenzene (1) or mesitylene (2) through η6 – cation-π interactions. In addition, the potassium centres within each dimer have a number of intramolecular agostic K ··· C interactions with the methyl groups of the HMDS anion.

Keywords: Alkali metals, Noncovalent interactions, Pi interactions

DOI: 10.1080/10241220701511976

Journal: Main Group Chemistry, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 215-220, 2006