Synthesis and structure of mixed chloride–tetrachloroaluminate salts

Abstract

Two mixed chloride–tetrachloroaluminate salts of simple ammonium cations, [NH₃(CH₂Ph)]₄Cl[AlCl₄]₃1 and [NH₃(C₆H₁₁)]₂Cl[AlCl₄]2 have been prepared, crystallized from hydrocarbon solution, and 2 has been characterized via single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The salts melt at 109–112 and 107–108 °C, respectively, however the structures are significant in the general context of interionic attractions in ambient-temperature chloroaluminate melts, particularly the basic variety, and are discussed in such a context. Salt 2 exhibits N–H ⋯ Cl^– hydrogen bonding [d_N⋯CL range 3.134(10)-3.203(9)Å] leading to a cationic polymer. Comparisons are made between the structure of 2 and that of 1, which was communicated earlier.