Synthesis and thermolysis of aluminum amidinates: a ligand-exchange route for new mixed-ligand systems.

A novel ligand-exchange route for the synthesis of amidinate-containing compounds of aluminum is explored. Syntheses of three new compounds, MeC(NiPr)2AlEt2 (4), EtC(NiPr)2AlMe2 (5), and (Me2NC(NiPr)2)2AlH (6), are presented. These mixed-ligand compounds are difficult to make in high yields by the more traditional routes of carbodiimide insertion or salt metathesis.