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

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.