The reactions of cyclo-tristannazanes, [(CH3)(2)Sn-N(R)](3), with the trimethyl derivatives of aluminium, gallium, and indium

The cyclo-tristannazanes [Me2Sn-N(R)](3) (with R = Me, Pr-n,Pr-i,Bu-i) have been prepared from Me2SnCl2 and LiN(H)R in a 1:2 molar ratio. With MMe3 (M = Al, Ga, In) they form the dimeric dimethylmetal trimethylstannyl(alkyl)a mides 1[Me2M-N(R)SnMe3](2) in good yields. The mass, NMR (H-1, C-13, Sn-119 ), and vibrational spectra are discussed and compared with the spectra of t he tristannazanes. Thermolysis of the gallium amidocompounds splits SnMe4 t o form methylgallium imido derivatives with cage structures. The crystal st ructures of selected stannylamido complexes have been determined by X-ray s tructure analysis.