The first X-ray crystal structural characterizations of alkali metal alkyl thiolates: X-ray crystal structures of [Li2(thf)4{SCH(SiMe3)2}2] and [Li2(thf)3.5{SC(SiMe3)3}2](thf = tetrahydrofuran)

Abstract

The isolation and X-ray structural characterization of [Li₂(thf)₄{SCH(SiMe₃)₂}₂](1) and [Li₂(thf)_3.5{SC(SiMe₃)₃}₂](2)(thf = tetrahydrofuran) show them to be dimers with a central Li₂S₂ core (Li–S distances average 2.43 Å); the lithium atoms have approximately tetrahedral co-ordination and each sulphur is three-co-ordinate, being pyramidal in (1) and almost planar in (2) where severe crowding is evident.