Synthesis and characterisation of [AlMen{Si(SiMe3)3}3−n(thf)] (n = 1 or 2)

The crystalline compounds [AlMen{Si(SiMe3)3}3−n(thf)] [n = 2 (1) or 1 (2)] were prepared from the lithium sisyl [Li{Si(SiMe3)3}(thf)3] (A) and the appropriate methylaluminium chloride [AlCl3−nMen] in thf. The X-ray structure of 1 is reported. Unlike A or a magnesium sisyl [Mg{Si(SiMe3)3}2(thf)2] (B), neither 1 nor 2 underwent an insertion reaction with an α-H-free nitrile.