New Characterization of V{N(SiMe3)2}3: Reductions of Tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]vanadium(III) and -chromium(III) To Afford the Reduced Metal(II) Anions [M{N(SiMe3)2}3]- (M = V and Cr).

During the preparation of V{N(SiMe3)2}3 (1), a discrepancy between the violet color that we observed and the brown color previously reported prompted further investigation of this compound. As a result, a new spectroscopic study and a full structural characterization are presented. The synthesis, spectroscopy, and structural characteristics of its reduced salt, [K(18-crown-6)(Et2O)2][V{N(SiMe3)2}3] (2), and its chromium congener, [K(18-crown-6)(Et2O)2][Cr{N(SiMe3)2}3] (3), are also described. The 1H NMR spectra for 1-3 and Cr{N(SiMe3)2}3 as well as their cyclic voltammograms are also reported.