Formation and structural characterization of a potassium amidinoguanidinate

The first potassium amidinoguanidinate complex, catena-poly[[bis(μ-1-amidinato-N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetraisopropylguanidinato-κ5N1:N1,N2:N2,N4)dipotassium]-μ-1,2-dimethoxyethane-κ2O:O′], [K2(C14H32N4)2(C4H10O2)]n or [{iPrN= CHN(iPr)N(NiPr)2K}2(μ-DME)]n where DME is 1,2-dimethoxyethane, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The title compound was isolated in 76% yield from a reaction of N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide with potassium hydride in DME. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination of the title compound revealed a polymeric chain structure comprising cage-like dimeric units, with the amidinoguanidinate ligand displaying a mixed σ-/π-coordination mode