Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [K(H2O)(Piv)]∞ and [K2(Phen)(H2O)2(Piv)2]∞

A method for the synthesis of potassium pivalates (trimethylacetates) from potassium tert-butoxide and pivalic acid was proposed. The complexes of the formulas [K(H2O)(Piv)]8(I) and [K-2(Phen)(H2O)(2)(Piv)(2)](infinity) (II) (Piv denotes the pivalate anion and Phen denotes 1,10-phenanthroline) were obtained and characterized by elemental analysis and IR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of complexes I and II were determined using X-ray diffraction. Crystal structure I has a layered motif with two nonequivalent K atoms (C.N.s 5 + 2 and 6). The coordination of phenanthroline in II gives rise to a ribbon motif, the structure containing three nonequivalent K atoms (C.N.s 6, 6 + 1, and 8). DOI: 10.1134/S1070328411100125