Synthesis and Molecular Structure of the Lithiated Triamidoamine [Li3{N(CH2CH2SiButMe2)3}(THF)n]

Addition of THF to a pentane solution of [Li3{N(CH2CH2SiButMe2)3}] prepared in situ from tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN) leads to the crystallization of [Li3{N(CH2CH2SiButMe2)3}(THF)n] (n = 3). The molecular structure of the compound (n = 2) reveals a dimeric structure as shown. Two triamidoamine ligands are linked via incorporation of one amido nitrogen atom each into a Li2N2 unit. Sublimation of the above allows isolation of the base-free compound [Li3{N(CH2CH2SiButMe2)3}].