Reactions between organoaluminium compounds and N-substituted acid amides

Abstract

Reactions between R13Al and R2NH· CO·R3 (R1 = Me or Et; R2 = Me, Et, But, or Ph; R3 = Me or Ph) leading to materials (R 12Al·NR2·CO·R 3)n are described. I.r., mass, and 1H n.m.r. spectroscopic details of the products are given. Cyclic 8-membered ring structures (n = 2) are proposed for these compounds in the solution phase. Cryoscopic studies support dimeric structures for the compounds (Me 2Al·NPh·CO·Me)2 and (Me 2Al·NBut·CO·Me)2 in benzene, although an X-ray crystallographic study of the former, which can also be prepared from Me3Al and PhNCO, shows a trimeric structure to be more likely in the crystal. The related sulphur compound Me 2Al·NPh·CS·Me, from Me3Al and PhNCS, probably also has a similar cyclic structure in solution.