Insights into the Composition and Structural Chemistry of Gallium(I) Triflate

"GaOTf" is a simple, convenient source of low-valent gallium for synthetic chemistry and catalysis. However, little is currently known about its composition or reactivity. In this work, 71 Ga NMR spectroscopy shows the presence of [Ga(arene)n ]+ salts on oxidation of Ga metal with AgOTf in arene solvents. However, a more complex picture of speciation is uncovered by X-ray diffraction studies. In all cases, mixed-valence compounds containing Ga-arene and Ga-OTf coordination motifs, in addition to an unusual "naked" [Ga]+ ion, are found. Addition of 18-crown-6 allows for the isolation of a discrete GaI crown complex. Evidence of a potential intermediate in the formation of "GaOTf" has been isolated in the form of the bimetallic silver(I)/gallium(I) cluster anion [Ag4 {Ga(OTf)3 }4 (μ-Ga)6 (OTf)4 ]2- .

Dichlorogallane (HGaCl(2))(2): its molecular structure and synthetic potential

Dichlorogallane (HGaCl(2))(2) is readily prepared from gallium trichloride and triethylsilane in quantitative yield. Its crystal structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the chlorine-bridged dimers of crystallographically imposed C(2h) symmetry, the terminal hydrogen atoms are in trans positions. In the reaction with 2 equiv of triethylphosphine, the mononuclear complex (Et(3)P)GaHCl(2) is formed. Thermal decomposition of (HGaCl(2))(2) affords hydrogen gas and quantitative yields of "GaCl(2)" as mixed-valent Ga[GaCl(4)]. Treatment of this product with triethylphosphine gives the symmetrical, Ga-Ga-bonded gallium(II) complex [GaCl(2)(PEt(3))](2) with an ethane-type structure and with the phosphine ligands in a single-trans conformation. The corresponding [GaBr(2)(PEt(3))](2) complex is prepared from Ga[GaBr(4)] and has an analogous structure. (Et(3)P)GaCl(3) has been synthesized and structurally characterized as a reference compound.