Monovalent Group 13 Organometallic Compounds: Weak Association to Monomeric, Versatile Two-Electron Donors

A weakly associated hexamer is formed for [GaCp*] (Cp*=C₅ Me₅ ) in the solid state (see picture). The recent X-ray crystal structure analyses of [GaCp*] as well as the monomeric In^I and Tl^I compounds [M(2,4,6-Trip₃ C₆ H₂ )] (Trip=2,4,6-iPr₃ C₆ H₂ ) throw new light on the association and aggregation of monovalent Group 13 elements in the solid state. The synthesis of [Ni⁰ {In[C(SiMe₃ )₃ ]}₄ ], a complex with terminally bonded In^I R ligands, offers alternative σ-donor/π-acceptor ligands to organometallic chemists. The newest results in this area are likely to open up new and intriguing possibilities in the preparation of main group-transition metal clusters.