Synthesis and Structure of a Monomeric Aluminum(I) Compound [{HC(CMeNAr)2}Al] (Ar=2,6–iPr2C6H3): A Stable Aluminum Analogue of a Carbene

A monovalent aluminum monomer [{HC(CMeNAr)2}Al] was obtained by reduction of the corresponding aluminum(III) diiodide. The molecular structure shows a unique two-coordinate aluminum center and a planar heterocyclic Al-N-C-C-C-N six-membered ring system (see picture). A nonbonded lone pair of electrons on the Al atom indicates the Lewis base character of the aluminum center. Ar=2,6-iPr2C6H3.