The reverse reaction can occur between hydrogen and the lithium imide side product.

These compounds have the general form LiNR2, with the chemical lithium amide itself as the parent structure.

They are produced by the reaction of Li metal with the appropriate amine: Lithium amides are very reactive compounds.

[5] On the other hand, the lithium derivative of bis(1-phenylethyl)amine crystallises as a trimer:[6] It is also possible to make mixed oligomers of metal alkoxides and amides.

Other organolithium compounds (such as BuLi) are generally considered to exist in and function via high-order, aggregated species.