Chemical reactivities of [Me2Al(µ-NPri2)2MgMe]4 and [Me2Al(µ-NEt2)2MgMe]2: crystal structures of [Me2Al(µ-NPri2)2Mg(µ-I)]2, [Me2Al(µ-OBut)2Mg(µ-OBut)]2, Me2Al(µ-NPri2)(µ-OEt)Mg(µ-NPri2)(µ-OEt)AlMe2 and Me2Al(µ-OBut)2Mg(µ-OBut2)2AlMe2

Abstract

The nucleophilic attack of alcohols, amines and iodine on the magnesium atoms of [Me₂Al(µ-NPrⁱ₂)₂MgMe]₄A and [Me₂Al(µ-NEt₂)₂MgMe]₂B has been investigated. Compound A undergoes metathesis with amines (Et₂NH and Prⁱ₂NH) and iodine to give [Me₂Al(µ-NPrⁱ₂)₂Mg(µ-NR₂)](R = Et 7 or Prⁱ4) and [Me₂Al(µ-NPrⁱ₂)₂Mg(µ-I)]₂5, respectively. Partial degradation of A with MeOH or ethanol gives Me₂Al(µ-NPrⁱ₂)(µ-OMe)Mg(µ-NPrⁱ₂)(µ-OMe)AlMe₂1a and [Me₂Al(µ-NPrⁱ₂)(µ-OEt)Mg(µ-NPrⁱ₂)(µ-OEt)AlMe₂1b, respectively, whereas partial degradation with Bu^tOH gives Me₂Al(µ-OBu^t)₂Mg(µ-OBu^t)₂AlMe₂2 and [Me₂Al(µ-OBu^t)₂Mg(µ-OBu^t)]₂3. Compound B undergoes metathesis with Bu^tOH also to give 2 and 3. The intermediate, Me₂Al(µ-NR₂)₂Mg(µ-Me)(µ-OBu^t)Mg(µ-NR₂)₂AlMe₂I in the reactions of A and B with Bu^tOH is also examined. The molecular structures of compounds 1b, 2, 3 and 5 were determined by X-ray diffraction.