The First Molecular Main Group Metal Species Containing Interstitial Hydride.

Lithium cages containing hydride: The reaction of tBuLi with Me(2)AlN(2-Pyr)Ph in toluene gave [Li(8)(H){N(2-Pyr)Ph}(6)](+)[Li(Me(2)AltBu(2))(2)](-), whose cation is the first molecular main group metal species to contain interstitial hydride (the cluster core is shown in the picture). Treatment of the reaction mixture with THF gave the neutral hydride Li(7)(H)[N(2-Pyr)Ph](6), which has a capped octahedral (Li(+))(7) cluster core. 2-Pyr=2-pyridyl.