The synthesis (1-3 and 5) and structures (1-5) of the crystalline, hydrocar
bon-soluble metal amides [M{mu-N(SiMe3)(SiMe2Ph)}(NCBut)(n)](2) [n = 0 and
M = Li 1 (cis), M = Na 2 (trans) having intermolecular Na ... C contacts, o
r n = 1 and M = Na (cis) 3], [Li{mu-N(SiMe3)Ph}-cis](2)[mu-{N(SiMe3)Ph}Li-c
is](2) 4 and trans-[Na{mu-N(SiMe3)Ph}(tmen)] 5 are reported.