Structural Characterization of [(2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)C(H)C(Me)N(2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃)K·PhCH₃]_∞:  A Heavy Alkali Metal Diazapentadienyl Complex

Abstract

The compound pictured, an arene-soluble potassium salt of a sterically demanding diazapentadienyl ligand, is accessible in two short steps from commercially available, inexpensive regents. The anion may compete with amidinate or Cp* ligands in solubilizing and controlling the environment of metal ions; it effectively engulfs the potassium ion while appearing to be merely bidentate. Only weak single η5 contacts to substituted phenyl groups link the monomers.