A Water-Containing Organopotassium Compound Based on Bis(4,6-tBu-benzoxazol-2-yl)methanide and Its Unexpected Stability to Hydrolysis.

The bulky bis(4,6-tBu-benzoxazol-2-yl)methane ligand system enabled the synthesis of the water-containing organometallic potassium complex [(18-crown-6)K{(4,6-tBu-OCNC6 H2 )2 CH}⋅H2 O] (2), which is an unprecedented example of a water-stable reactive organopotassium compound. Furthermore, 2 is a rare example of a bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)methanide ligand displaying solely O-coordination to a metal ion. Compound 2 was fully characterized through its solid-state structure. Furthermore, its behavior in solution was investigated by NMR titration DOSY experiments. These revealed full protonation of the complex only after seven days and the addition of 114 equivalents of water.