Selective oxygen capture to give a unique mixed-anion lithium aluminate: the synthesis and solid-state structure of {[PhC(O)N(Me)Al(Me)(But)OMe]Li·[PhC(O)N(Me)Al(Me)(O But)OMe]Li}2

Abstract

While reaction of a solution of the amidoalane PhC(O)N(Me)AlMe₂ 3 with 1 equiv. of Bu^tLi affords the lithium aluminate PhC(O)N(Me)Al(Me)₂(Bu^t)Li 4, deliberate treatment of the reaction mixture with oxygen affords the unique mixed-anion species {[PhC(O)N(Me)Al(Me)(Bu^t)OMe]- Li·[PhC(O)N(Me)Al(Me)(OBu^t)OMe]Li}₂ 5; in the solid state 5 has a (LiO)₄ ladder structure containing terminal mono-oxygenated aluminate ligands and tripodal bis-oxygenated aluminate ligands spanning end and central Li⁺ cations.