Synthesis and Structural Characterization of (1,4-Dihydropyrid-1-yl)aluminum Complexes.

The reaction between LiAlH(4) and pyridine, 4-methylpyridine, or 3,5-dimethylpyridine results in hydride transfer to the pyridine ring to give tetrakis(pyridine)lithium tetrakis(1,4-dihydropyrid-1-yl)aluminate(III), 1, tetrakis(4-methylpyridine)lithium tetrakis(1,4-dihydro-4-methylpyrid-1-yl)aluminate(III), 2, or tetrakis(3,5-dimethylpyridine)lithium tetrakis(3,5-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyrid-1-yl)aluminate(III), 3, respectively. We claim that 1, instead of lithium tetrakis(1,4-dihydropyrid-1-yl)aluminate(III), is the compound which is known as Lansbury's reagent. Treatment of trimethylamine-alane, AlH(3).