Structural characterization of a tetrametallic diamine-bis(phenolate) complex of lithium and synthesis of a related bismuth complex

A tetra-lithium amine-bis(phenolate) 'daisy-chain' complex is shown to reversibly dissociate to give a centrosymmetric di-lithium species in solution. It can be used as a precursor for an amine-phenolate complex of bismuth.103