Synthesis, Structure, and Computational Studies of the Tetrameric Magnesium Imides [2,4,6-Cl3C6H2NMg·S]4 (S = 1,4-Dioxane and Tetrahydrofuran)

Abstract

The magnesium imide complexes [(ArNMg.diox)4.3(diox)] (4) and [(ArNMg.THF)4.tol] (5) (where Ar=2,4,6-Cl3C6H2, diox=1,4-dioxane, and THF=tetrahydrofuran) were prepared by the equimolar reaction of Bu2Mg with the primary amine in suitable solvent mixtures. The successful synthesis of the halide-substituted imides is notable because similar reactions with the less acidic organo-substituted anilines cease upon monodeprotonation. Both 4 and 5 form unusual Mg4N4 cubane aggregates in the solid state. Computational studies (HF/6-31G*) indicate that a combination of sterics and metal solvation determines the aggregation state adopted.