Reactions of lanthanide triiodides with potassium bistrimethylsilyl amide h
ave been investigated. For lanthanum, recrystallisation from THF-toluene le
d to monocrystals of the dimeric bisamide [La(mu -I){N(TMS)(2))(2)(THF)](2)
. We have shown that samarium diiodide and lanthanide triiodides are effici
ent for lanthanum and samarium reactions, a mixture of tris amides and iodo
bisamides is obtained, while only the latter compound is obtained for ytte
rbium. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.