Dynamic processes in organolithium chemistry: Tetrameric and 'open' tetrameric chiral α-amino lithium alkoxides

David R. Armstrong, John E. Davies, Robert P. Davies, Paul R. Raithby, Ronald Snaith, Andrew E.H. Wheatley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Lithium N,N,N'-trimethylethylenediamide, LiN(Me)(CH2)2NMe2, 1-Li, reacts with 1 equiv. of benzaldehyde to afford the corresponding chiral α- amino lithium alkoxide 2, which in the solid state is a conventional pseudo- cubane tetramer. Reaction of 1-Li with o-methoxybenzaldehyde affords instead a novel 'open' pseudo-cubane tetramer 3, wherein the coordinative mode of the potentially bidentate N,N,N'-trimethylethylenediamino moiety can be related to ligand chirality. Employment of p-methoxybenzaldehyde results in the isolation of a tetramer 4, whose solid-state structure is intermediate between those of 2 and 3 and therefore suggests that fluxional processes may operate. Extensive studies of 2-4 in non-donor solution indicate diverse and complex behaviour.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-41
Number of pages7
JournalNew Journal of Chemistry
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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