Synthesis and structural characterization of alkali metal arsinoamides

The aminoarsane Mes2AsN(H)Ph was prepared from Mes2AsCl and aniline in good yields. Deprotonation of Mes2AsN(H)Ph with suitable alkali metal bases resulted in the corresponding alkali metal derivatives. Thus, reaction of Mes2AsN(H)Ph with nBuLi, NaN(SiMe3)2, or KH gave the metal complexes [(Mes2AsNPh){Li(OEt2)2}], [(Mes2AsNPh){Na(OEt2)}]2, and [(Mes2AsNPh){K(THF)}]2. These are the first metal complexes ligated by an arsinoamide. All solid-state structures were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The lithium compounds form a monomer in the solid-state, whereas the sodium and the potassium derivatives are dimers. In the dimeric compounds intra- and intermolecular π-interaction of the aromatic rings with the metal atoms is observed.