Lewis base stabilized lithium TMP-aluminates: an unexpected fragmentation and capture reaction involving cyclic ether 1,4-dioxane.

Three Lewis base variations of the synthetically useful aluminate [L x Li(TMP)((i)Bu)Al((i)Bu)2], where L is TMPH, Et3N or PhC(=O)N(i)Pr2, are reported, together with the reaction of the benzamide complex with 1,4-dioxane, which surprisingly leads to fragmentation of the cyclic ether and capture of its alkoxy vinyl ether residue within a novel dilithium dialuminium hexaalkyl aggregate.