Synthesis and molecular structure of a tripodal triaminostibine

Reaction of the tripodal trilithium triamide [Mesi{siMe(2)N(Li)(p-Tol)}(3)( thf)(2)] (1) with SbCl3 in toluene gave the corresponding triaminostibine [ MeSi{SiMe2N(p-Tol)}(3)Sb] (2) in good yield. Its [2,2,2]bicyclooctane-relat ed cage structure, comprising the trisilylsilane unit and the triamidostibi ne fragment, was established by a single crystal X-ray structure analysis: Space group P (1) over bar, Z=2, lattice dimensions at 293 K: a = 8.645(4), b = 10.029(5), c = 19.678(9) A: alpha = 98.50(3)degrees, beta = 97.36(3)de grees, gamma = 94.80(3)degrees, R = 0.0216.