Reaction of Amines with [(tBu)Al(μ3-O)]6: Determination of the Steric Limitation of a Latent Lewis Acid
摘要:
The reaction of primary and secondary amines with the hexameric tert-butylalumoxane, [((t)Bu)Al(mu(3)-O)](6), has been investigated. Reaction of [((t)Bu)Al(mu(3)-O)](6) with 2 equiv of RNH(2) (R=Et, Pr-n, Pr-i, (n)Bu, (t)Bu) results in the formation of [((t)Bu)(6)Al-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu-O)(2)(NH(2)R)(2)], R=Et (1), Pr-n (2), Pr-i (3), (n)Bu (4) and (t)Bu (5). The molecular structure of compound 4 has been determined by X-ray crystallography, the Al6O6 core structure of which consists of two fused boat-conformation Al3O3 rings, derived from the opening of two opposing edges of the Al6O6 cage of [((t)Bu)Al(mu(3)-O)](6). The (n)BuNH(2) groups are bound to the aluminum atoms of the open cage. Compounds 1-3 and 5 are isostructural to compound 4 on the basis of H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. No reaction is observed for R(2)NH (R=Et, Pr-i, (n)Bu, Ph). On the basis of the cone angle (theta) of the amine, we suggest that steric hindrance is the reason for the lack of reactivity of the secondary amines R(2)NH. A discussion of the steric constraints imposed on a latent Lewis acid is presented.