X-Ray crystal structures of some lithium aryl thiolates: monomeric [o-MeC6H4SLi·(NC5H5)3], chain [PhSLi·(NC5H5)2]∞, and the unique folded ladder of [PhCH2SLi·NC5H5]∞with Li–S rungs

Abstract

The X-ray crystallographic study of the title compounds has shown a remarkable structural variation induced by minor changes in the anion, [PhCH₂SLi·NC₅H₅]_∞ forming an infinite folded ladder polymer with Li–S rungs, removal of the CH₂ group to give [PhSLi·(NC₅H₅)₂]_∞ resulting in a polymer containing an infinite Li–S chain, while the introduction of an Me group into the ortho-position in [o-MeC₆H₄SLi·(NC₅H₅)₃] prevents association; all three structures have tetrahedral lithium whereas the co-ordination around sulphur varies from 2 to 4.