An open route to asymmetric substituted Al-Al bonds using Al(i)- and Al(iii)-precursors.

The reaction of LAl: (L = HC[C(Me)N(Ar)]2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) and cAAC:→AlX3 (X = Cl, I) (cAAC = cyclic alkyl amino carbene) results in strikingly asymmetric Al(ii)-Al(ii) compounds LAl(X)-Al(X)2-cAAC [X = Cl (2a); I (2b)]. In these dialuminum(ii) compounds the two Al atoms bear different ligand environments. For a detailed insight into the structures, theoretical calculations were carried out.