Abstract In order to determine whether α-metalated (lithiated) amines are carbenoids, as are α-lithiated halides and ethers, we have determined the crystal structures of the title compounds. In [α-(dimethylamino) benzyllithium–diethyl ether] 2 ([9· OEt 2] 2) lithium bridges the anionic carbon and the nitrogen atom which corresponds to the most stable calculated model structure of LiCH 2 NH 2. The C–N bond is only slightly (≈ 3 pm) elongated ( ...
