Trapping of n-butyllithium dimer by a trilithiated derivative of {Al[N(H)But]3}2

Abstract

The reaction of {Al[N(H)Bu^t]₃}₂, obtained as a 1 : 2 mixture of cis and trans isomers from the addition of AlCl₃ to three equiv. LiN(H)Bu^t in diethyl ether, with LiBuⁿ generates a complex in which a dimeric n-butyllithium fragment is trapped by the trilithiated derivative Li₃Al₂[N(H)Bu^t]₃[NBu^t]₃.