Novel octameric structure of the lithium primary amide [{Bu(t)N(H)Li}(8)] and its implication for the directed synthesis of heterometallic imide cages

The crystalline lithium primary amide derived from tert-butylamine, [{Bu(t)N(H)Li}(n)], is structurally characterised by an X-ray diffraction study and shown to be a novel octameric (n = 8) ladder conformation, the cyclic, 'double-crown' nature of which implies molecules of this design could direct the synthesis of heterobimetallic (i.e, lithium and another metal) imide cage constructions.