Sterically encumbered terphenyl substituted primary pnictanes ArEH2 and their metallated derivatives ArE(H)Li (Ar = -C6H3-2,6-Trip2;: Trip=2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl;: E = N, P, As, Sb)

A series of sterically crowded primary pnictanes of formula ArEH2 (Ar = C6H3-2,6-Trip(2); Trip = C6H2-2,4,6-i-Pr-3; E =N, 2; P, 4; As, 5; Sb, 6) and their lithiated pnictide salts ArE(H)Li (E = N, 7; P, 8; As, 9; Sb, 10) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography (2-6), NMR, IR spectroscopy, and by combustion analysis. Details of the synthesis and structures of the azide derivative ArN3 (1) and the arylphosphinic acid ArP(O)(OH)H (3) are also given. The amine compound 2 displays a planar geometry (within the limits of experimental error) at nitrogen which is attributable to interactions between the N-H moieties and the ortho-aryl rings. The antimony compound 6 is a rare instance of a stable primary stibane and its X-ray crystal structure represents the first structural determination of such a species. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.