Formation and structural characterization of a potassium amidino­guanidinate

The first potassium amidino­guanidinate complex, catena-poly[[bis­(μ-1-amidinato-N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetra­iso­propyl­guanidinato-κ(5) N (1):N (1),N (2):N (2),N (4))dipotassium]-μ-1,2-di­meth­oxy­ethane-κ(2) O:O′], [K(2)(C(14)H(32)N(4))(2)(C(4)H(10)O(2))](n) or [{(i)PrN= CHN((i)Pr)N(N(i)Pr)(2)K}(2)(μ-DME)](n) where DME is 1,2-di­meth­oxy­ethane, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The title compound was isolated in 76% yield from a reaction of N,N′-diiso­propyl­carbodi­imide with potassium hydride in DME. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination of the title compound revealed a polymeric chain structure comprising cage-like dimeric units, with the amidino­guanidinate ligand displaying a mixed σ-/π-coordination mode.