Syntheses and X-ray crystal structures of tris(imido)arsenate anions

Abstract

Lithium salts of tris(imido)arsenate anions are produced by the reaction of 3 equivalents of RNH₂ with AsCl₃ in thf–NEt₃ followed by metallation with 3 equivalents of BuⁿLi. These complexes form ion-contacted dimers in the solid-state whereby two As(NR)₃³⁻ trianions sandwich six lithium cations in irregular 14 membered core configurations whose degrees of distortion are dictated by the differing ways in which the lithium cations are solvated.