Synthesis and Characterization of an Unusually Stable Dialkylaluminum Aldimine Complex: X-ray Crystal Structure of trans-[(1,2,3-(t-Bu)3-cyclo-C3)CHNAl(i-Bu)2]2

Treatment of nitrile 1 with an equimolar amount of DIBAL produces the alane complex [(1,2,3-( t -Bu) 3 - cyclo -C 3 )CH NAl( i -Bu) 2 ] 2 ( 3 ), which reacts sluggishly with protic nucleophiles. The X-ray crystal structure of 3 shows unusual geometric distortions in the Al 2 N 2 core and about the imine carbon, as well as in the cyclopropene ring, all of which are attributed to the extreme steric bulk of the hydrocarbon ligands.