Reaction of trimethylaluminum with crown ethers. III. The synthesis and crystal structure of (12-crown-4)bis(trimethylaluminum)

The crown ether 12-crown-4 reacts with trimethylaluminum in toluene to form the complex AlMe₃]₂12-crown-4]. Attempts to utilize the remaining two oxygen atoms for coordination to AlMe₃ molecules were unsuccessful. The 21 complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP2₁/n witha=11.342(7),b=12.941(4),c=6.973(6) Å, and =95.48(4)°. Refinement led to a finalR value of 0.047 for 925 observed reflections. The molecule resides on a crystallographic center of inversion, and as required by symmetry, the four oxygen atoms are planar. The Al–O bond is strong as revealed by the bond length of 1.977(3) Å. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82013 (9 pages).