The new NH-acid HN(C6F5)(C(CF3)3) and its crystalline and volatile alkaline and earth alkaline metal salts.

Herein we report on the new NH-acid N-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-N-nonafluoro-tert-butylamine, HN(C6F5)(C(CF3)3), bearing two different sterically demanding and strongly electron-withdrawing perfluorinated amine substituents. The title compound and seven of its alkaline and alkaline earth metal salts were synthesized and investigated concerning their thermal, spectroscopic, and structural properties. The Li, Na, K, Cs, and Mg salts were investigated by single-crystal XRD analysis. The molecular structures reveal interesting motifs such as manifold fluorine metal secondary interactions. The lithium and magnesium compounds exhibit a remarkable thermal stability and an unexpectedly high volatility. We believe that this report will provoke investigations to apply the corresponding anion in ionic liquids, in lithium electrolytes, and as a weakly electron-donating ligand in the preparation of highly Lewis-acidic main group, rare earth, or transition metal complexes.