Synthesis and structure of an anionic aluminium–nitrogen compound containing a ladder-shaped core

Abstract

An X-ray crystallographic study of the aluminium–nitrogen compound C ₅₂ H ₇₈ Al ₄ Li ₂ N ₄ showed it to possess a ladder-shaped (AlN) ₄ core. The mesityl ligands of the inner nitrogen atoms are each metallated by one of their neighbouring aluminium atoms, while on the outer negative charge is localised. The reported structure is the first tetrameric anionic Al–N compound.