Revealing unbound β-diketiminate anions: structural dynamics from caesium complexes

Abstract

This study reports the first structural elucidation of β-diketiminate anions (BDI⁻), known for strong coordination, in their unbound form within caesium complexes. β-Diketiminate caesium salts (BDICs) were synthesised, and upon the addition of Lewis donor ligands, free BDI⁻ anions and donor-solvated Cs⁺ cations were observed. Notably, the liberated BDI⁻ anions exhibited an unprecedented dynamic cisoid–transoid exchange in solution.