A range of heterometallic cage complexes can be prepared by step-wise
metallation reactions of monolithiated primary amines and phosphines (
[REHLi](n); E= N, P) with various Group 13, 14 and 15 metal reagents.
The p block imido and phosphinidine anions present in these species ar
e novel ligand systems to main group and transition metals. This simpl
e synthetic approach thereby provides a basis for structured assembly
of a range of heterometallic cage and ring compounds.