Novel octameric structure of the lithium primary amide [{ButN(H)Li}8] and its implication for the directed synthesis of heterometallic imide cages

The crystalline lithium primary amide derived from tert-butylamine, [{ButN(H)Li}n], is structurally characterised by an X-ray diffraction study and shown to be a novel octameric (n= 8) ladder conformation, the cyclic, ‘double-crown’ nature of which implies molecules of this design could direct the synthesis of heterobimetallic (i.e. lithium and another metal) imide cage constructions.