Synthesis of 2,5-bis{(diethyl-3′-indolyl)methyl}furan and its N,N′-dimetallated complexes (lithium, sodium and potassium): X-ray crystal structures of 2,5-bis{(diethyl-3′-indolyl)methyl}furan and the polymeric tetrahydrofuran adduct of the dilithiat

A series of alkali metal bis(indolide) complexes are reported. The dilithium complex (tetrahydrofuran adduct) has a polymeric structure in the solid state, associated through bridging indolides forming {[(THF)2Li-μ2-NR2]2} rings. 1H NMR spectroscopy suggests that the dilithium, disodium and dipotassium complexes are likely to display significant metal-indolide structural differences in solution.