Na(THF)2Cr(N3N)]: The first trigonal monopyramidal chromium(II) complex

Reduction of Cr(N(3)N)] (1) (N(3)N)(3)(-) = ((SiMe(3)NCH(2)CH(2))(3)N)(3)(-)] with sodium powder in THF affords the yellow, extremely air-sensitive amidochromate(II) Na(THF)(2)Cr(N(3)N)] (2) in good yield. Complex 2 has an effective magnetic moment of 5.1 mu(B) indicative of a d(4) high-spin electronic configuration. (1)H NMR spectroscopy in solution and single-crystal X-ray crystallography show that compound 2 is composed of idealized C(s) symmetric contact ion pairs, in which trigonal-monopyramidal Cr(II)(N(3)N)](-) anions are linked to the Na(THF)(2)](+) countercations by two bridging amide ligands. DFT calculations of 1, 2, and the anion Cr(N(3)N)](-) at the RI-BP86/TZVPP level of theory provide in combination with extended Hückel calculations a rationale for the observed structural changes from 1 to 2.