NONSOLVATED LI-AMIDE CLUSTERS - PREPARATION AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF THE ADDUCT ((MESO-OCTAETHYLCALIX-[4]-PYRROLE)LI-4)(T-BULI)(2) AND OF THE TETRAMERIC [(CYCLOHEXYL)(2)NLI](4)

We report the preparation and crystallographic characterization of {[O EC-4-P]Li-4}(t-BuLi)(2) and of (Cy(2)NLi)(4), both obtained via lithia tion of the corresponding meso-octaethylcalix-[4]-pyrrole [OEC-4-P]H-4 and Cy(2)NH with alkyllithium reagents. The reaction of OEC-4-PH4 wit h t-BuLi yielded an adduct where 2 equiv of t-BuLi remained aggregated to the [OEC-4-P]Li-4 unit. Reaction of Cy(2)NH with 1 equiv of n-BuLi in hexane formed the corresponding tetrameric (Cy(2)NLi)(4) with an a lmost planar Li4N4 core.