The chemistry of 1,3,5-triazacyclohexane complexes .3. High yield synthesis of [Cr{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(3)] and accurate structure determination by cocrystallization with Me(6)Si(2)

The reaction of N,N',N ''-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane chromium tricholride ((Me(3)TAC)CrCl3, 1) with LiN(SiMe(3))(2) or NaN(SiMe(3))(2) in petroleum ether yields nearly quantitatively [Cr{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(3)] (2) with loss of the Me(3)TAC ligand. Compound 2 could be crystallized from hexamethyldisilane as [Cr{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(3)] . (Me(6)Si(2))(0.5) which allowed the refinement of the X-ray crystal structure in the trigonal space group P-31c (no. 163) ( a = 16.012)(3) Angstrom, c = 8.4796(12) Angstrom, V = 1882.8(6) Angstrom(3), Z = 2) without severe disorder.