Lithium halide adducts of imidotellurium(IV) ligands: synthesis and X-ray structures of [Li(THF)2L](mu 3-I)[LiI(L)] [L = tBuNTe(mu-NtBu)2TeNtBu] and [(THF)3Li3(mu 3-I)(Te(NtBu)3)

The reaction of the chelating ligand tBuNTe(mu-NtBu)2TeNtBu (L) with LiI in THF yields Li(THF)2L](mu 3-I)LiI(L)] (3). This complex is also formed by the attempted oxidation of Li2Te(NtBu)3]2 with I2. An X-ray analysis of 3 reveals that the tellurium diimide dimer acts as a chelating ligand toward (a) Li(THF)2]+ cations and (b) a molecule of LiI. An extended structure is formed via weak Te...I interactions 3.8296(7)-3.9632(7) A] involving both mu 3-iodide counterions and the iodine atoms of the coordinated LiI molecules. Crystal data: 3, triclinic, space group P1, a = 10.1233(9) A, b = 15.7234(14) A, c = 18.8962(17) A, alpha = 86.1567(16) degrees, beta = 84.3266(16) degrees, gamma = 82.9461(16) degrees, V = 2965.8(5) A3, Z = 2. The oxidation by air of Li2Te(NtBu)3]2 in toluene produces the radical (Li3Te(NtBu)3]2), which exhibits an ESR spectrum consisting of a septet of decuplets (g = 2.00506, a(14N) = 5.26 G, a(7Li) = 0.69 G). The complexes (THF)3Li3(mu 3-X)(Te(NtBu)3)] (4a, X = Cl; 4b, X = Br; 4c, X = I) are obtained from the reaction of Li2Te(NtBu)3]2 with lithium halides in THF. The iodide complex, 4c, has a highly distorted, cubic structure comprised of the pyramidal Te(NtBu)3]2- dianion which is linked through three Li(THF)]+ cations to I- Crystal data: 4c, triclinic, space group P1, a = 12.611(8) A, b = 16.295(6) A, c = 10.180(3) A, alpha = 98.35(3) degrees, beta = 107.37(4) degrees, gamma = 108.26(4) degrees, V = 1829(2) A3, Z = 2.