Lithium triamidostannate(II), Li[Sn(NH2)3] -: Synthesis and crystal structure

Rusty-red glistening, transparent crystals of Li[Sn(NH2)(3)] were obtained by reaction of metallic lithium with tetraphenyl tin in liquid ammonia at 110 OC. The structure was determined from X-ray single-crystal diffractometer data: Space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, a = 8.0419(9) Angstrom, b = 7.1718(8) Angstrom, c = 8.5085(7) Angstrom, beta = 90.763(8)degrees, R-1 (F-o greater than or equal to 4 sigma(F-o)) = 2.8%, wR(2) (F-o(2) greater than or equal to 2 sigma(F-o(2))) = 5.3%, N(F-o(2) greater than or equal to 2 sigma(F-o(2))) = 1932, N(Var.) = 65. The crystal structure contains trigonal pyramidal complex anions [Sn(NH2)(3)](-) with tin at the apex, which are connected to layers of sequence A B A B... by lithium in tetra-hedra-double units [Li(NH2)(2/2)(NH2)(2)](2).