Thermal decomposition of lithium amides: a matrix isolation investigation

Abstract

Lithium dimethylamide, lithium diethylamide and lithium diisopropylamide decompose, probably via an αβ-lithium hydride elimination mechanism, to give N-methylenemethylamine, N-ethylidene-ethylamine and N-isopropylideneisopropylamine, respectively. Lithium dibenzylamide and lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide exhibited different behaviour. Lithium dibenzylamide decomposes via the rupture of carbon–nitrogen and carbon–carbon bonds, to give toluene and benzene, and lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide volatilizes without decomposition.