Synthesis and crystal structures of [K(H2O)(Piv)]∞ and [K2(Phen)(H2O)2(Piv)2]

A method for the synthesis of potassium pivalates (trimethylacetates) from potassium tert -butoxide and pivalic acid was proposed. The complexes of the formulas [K(H 2 O)(Piv)] ∞ ( I ) and [K 2 (Phen)(H 2 O) 2 (Piv) 2 ] ∞ ( II ) (Piv denotes the pivalate anion and Phen denotes 1,10-phenanthroline) were obtained and characterized by elemental analysis and IR and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of complexes I and II were determined using X-ray diffraction. Crystal structure I has a layered motif with two nonequivalent K atoms (C.N.s 5 + 2 and 6). The coordination of phenanthroline in II gives rise to a ribbon motif, the structure containing three nonequivalent K atoms (C.N.s 6, 6 + 1, and 8).