Molecular tructure of [(tBu)2Al(μ-OPh)]2

The molecular structure of [( t Bu) 2 Al(μ-OPh)] 2 has been determined. The intramolecular steric interaction between the phenyl groups and the tert-butyl ligands results in the geometry about aluminum being significantly distorted from tetrahedral, with the AlC 2 planes are pitched 62° with respect to the Al202 plane. The greater distortion from tetrahedral about aluminum, and the orientation of the phenoxide ring more nearly perpendicular to the M 2 O 2 core as compared to that in [( t Bu) 2 Ga(μ-OPh)] 2 are all consistent with increased t Bu... Ph steric interaction as a consequence of the smaller M202 core for [( t Bu) 2 Al(μ-OPh)] 2 . Crystal data: tetragonal, I4 I /acd, a = 16.44(1), c = 21.41(1) A, V = 5788(7) A 3 , Z = 8, R = 0.047, R w = 0.045.