Monometalated tribenzotriquinacene: exo and endo coordination of sodium and potassium with a rigid bowl-shaped hydrocarbon anion

Abstract

Treatment of tribenzotriquinacene with trimethylsilylmethyl sodium [NaCH₂SiMe₃] or potassium hydride [KH] leads to the formation of monometalated products. The sodium atom interacts with the carbanion in an exo fashion, while the potassium atom is found in an endo position inside the rigid bowl-shaped molecule.