Crystal and molecular structure of a THF‐solvated lithium amide enolate dimer

The structure of a crystalline complex with the composition [lithium 8‐(dimethylamino)‐8‐heptafulvenolate]2 · (THF)4 has been determined by X‐ray analysis at −115°C (R = 0.048). The lithium atoms form a four‐membered ring with the two oxygen atoms of the enolates and are solvated by two THF oxygens each. The π‐system and the dimethylamino group are not involved in complexing the metal. The geometry of and the bonding in the nearly planar heptafulvene moiety of the enolate are discussed.