Persistent π-arene interactions in bulky formamidinate complexes of potassium

The reaction of potassium hexamethyldisilazide with N(Diep)C(H)NH(Diep) (DiepFormH, Diep = 2,6-Et2C6H3) in THF yields the half deprotonated compound [K(DiepForm)(DiepFormH)] (1), which exhibits suppressed reactivity with the hexamethyldisilazide anion. Reaction of 1 with n-BuLi gives [{Li(THF)2K(DiepForm)2}n] (2). Preparation of 1 in the presence of chelating ethers or amines gives fully deprotonated polymeric species.