Nucleophilic substitution vs acid-base reactions of [Mn{N(SiMe3)(2)}(2)]center dot 2thf; Syntheses and structures of 2[Li(thf)(4)](+)[Mn(C12H8H)(4)](2-)center dot C6H5Me and [Mn(C12H8N)(2)]center dot 3thf (thf equals tetrahydrofuran, C12H8N equals carbazol-9-yl)

The ion-separated complex 2[Li(thf)(4)](+)[Mn(C12H8N)(4)](2-) 1 has been obtained from the nucleophilic substitution reaction of [Mn{N(SiMe3)(2)}(2)].2thf with Li[C12H8N] (1:4 equivalents)(thf = tetrahydrofuran, C12H8N = carbazol-9-yl), and the molecular species [Mn(C12H8N)(2)].3thf 2 from the acid-base reaction of [Mn{N(SiMe3)(2)}(2)].2thf and C12H8NH (1:2 equivalents). They are among the few amidomanganese(II) complexes containing simple (sterically undemanding) dialkyl- or diaryl-amido groups to be characterised. The crystal structures of both were determined: 1 contains the fi;st tetraamidomanganese(II) dianion and 2 possesses the highest co-ordination number for Mn-II in such a compound.