The synthesis and X-ray structural characterisation of the first mixed alkali metal organonitrogen molecular cluster LiNa3[OP(NMe2)3]3[NC(NMe2)2]4

Abstract

A mixed alkali metal guanidino complex LiNa₃[OP(NMe₂)₃]₃[NC(NMe₂)₂]₄(1), the first compound of its type, has been synthesised from BuⁿLi, BuⁿNa, OP(NMe₂)₃, and HNC(NMe₂)₂; an X-ray crystallographic study shows it to be a cubane-type cluster built up of novel µ₃-N–LiNa₂ and µ₃-N–Na₃ pyramids though additional Li ⋯ H–C interactions are indicated.