Silsesquioxane chemistry, 6 -: The first beryllium silsesquioxane:: synthesis and structure of [Cy7Si7O12BeLi]2•2THF

The compound [Cy7Si7O12BeLi](2) . 2THF (3) was prepared in high yield by reacting in situ prepared Cy7Si7O9(OLi)(3) (2) with anhydrous BeCl2 in THF at 20 degrees C. The molecular structure of 3 has been determined by X-ray diffraction and is the first structurally characterized silsesquioxane derivative of beryllium. In the solid state, self-assembly leads to the formation of a dimeric molecule. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.