Di- and trimanganese N,N '-dicyclohexylformamidinate complexes

The reaction of [MnCl2(thf)(2)] with the N,N'-dicyclohexylformamidinate ani on gave two remarkably different results depending on the nature of the ami dinate alkali metal countercation. The reaction with the lithium salt affor ds a mixed-valence Mn- oxo cluster [Mn-3(CyNCHNCy)(6)OLi]. 2THF (1), formed by the deoxygenation of THE In the case of the potassium salt, a dinuclear complex [{(CyNCHNCy)-Mn}(2)(mu-CyNNCHNCy)(2)] (2) was formed; it has a hig hly distorted structure. The complexes 1 and 2 are both extremely sensitive to oxygen. Reaction of 2 with dry O-2 afforded the dinuclear complex [{Mn( CyNCHNCy)(2)}(2)(mu-O)](2). 2THF (4).