Synthesis and structure of the novel octanuclear lithium aryloxide cluster [(hmqLi)8(THF)4] (hmq−= 2-hydroxy-4-methylquinoline monoanion): formation of a rare four-rung intercepted Li–O ladder

Abstract

The title complex, readily prepared by the facile deprotonation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylquinoline by n-butyllithium in ethereal solvent, crystallises as a novel octanuclear cluster constructed around a rare intercepted four-rung Li–O ladder.