Stepwise fluorination of [MeAlN(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)]3 using trimethyltin fluoride as fluorinating agent

The fluorination of MeAlN(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)]₃1 using 1 and 2 eq., respectively, trimethyltin fluoride leads to the mono- and difluoro compounds, FAl(MeAl)₂(N(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃))₃]·2THF 2 and (FAl)₂MeAl(N(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃))₃]·3THF 3, where each methyl group can be selectively exchanged for terminal fluorine atoms (AlF). The reaction of 1 and 3 eq. of trimethyltin fluoride leads to the trifluoro compound FAlN(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)]₃·3THF 4 and Me₂SnN(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)]₂5 as a by-product. The core of compound 5 consists of a tin-nitrogen four-membered Sn₂N₂ ring.