Deprotonated 2,3:5,6-Dibenzo-7- aza bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene as a Nitrido Nitrogen Source by Anthracene Elimination: Synthesis of an Iodide(nitride)chromium(VI) Complex

Instead of azides, which can be explosive and poorly soluble in nonpolar solvents, azabicycloheptadienes can be used to synthesize nitrides. The reaction of diiodide 1 with the lithium amide 3 provides the red nitride 2 in 60 % yield with loss of lithium iodide and anthracene. The remaining iodo ligand in 2 can undergo an exchange reaction with lithium amide 3, but no more anthracene is released.