THE CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF THE LITHIUM PHEN YLAMIDINATE (LI-3[C6H5-C(NSIME(3))(2)](3)CENTER-DOT-NC-C6H5)

Single crystals of the title compound have been prepared by the reacti on of benzonitrile with LiN(SiMe(3))(2) in hexane and subsequent evapo ration of the solvent. Space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, structure solution with 7945 observed unique reflections, R = 0.052. Lattice dimensions a t -70 degrees C: a = 1485.2(9); b = 2486.9(11); c = 1568.9(8) pm; beta = 91.06(4)degrees. The compound forms a trimeric ion ensemble in whic h two of the lithium cations are coordinated by three nitrogen atoms o f two phenylamidinate an ions, the other one by four nitrogen atoms of two chelating phenylaminidate anions and in addition by the nitrogen atom of a benzonitrile molecule.