Revealing unbound β-diketiminate anions: structural dynamics from caesium complexes.

This study reports the first structural elucidation of β-diketiminate anions (BDI - ), known for strong coordination, in their unbound form within caesium complexes. β-Diketiminate caesium salts (BDICs) were synthesised, and upon the addition of Lewis donor ligands, free BDI - anions and donor-solvated Cs + cations were observed. Notably, the liberated BDI - anions exhibited an unprecedented dynamic cisoid - transoid exchange in solution.