N,N,N′,N′,N′′,N′′,N′′′,N′′′-Octamethyl(but-2-yne)bisamidinium bis(tetraphenylborate)

Abstract

The asymmetric unit of the title salt, C12H24N42+.2C24H20B−, comprises half a cation and one tetraphenylborate ion. An inversion centre is situated at the mid-point of the triple C[triple-bond]C bond in the cation. The bisamidinium C—N bonds [1.3249 (11) and 1.3267 (11) Å] have double-bond character and both positive charges are delocalized between the dimethylamino groups. The bonds between the N atoms and the terminal C-methyl groups all have values characteristic for a typical single bond [1.4656 (12)–1.4687 (12) Å]. The acetylenic bond length [1.1889 (18) Å] is consistent with a triple C[triple-bond]C bond and the butyne carbon chain is almost linear. C—H...π interactions between the bisamidinium methyl H atoms and the phenyl C atoms of the tetraphenylborate ions are present. The phenyl rings form aromatic pockets, in which the cations are embedded. This leads to the formation of a two-dimensional supramolecular pattern in theabplane.