Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of group 13 hydride complexes based on amido-amine ligands

The preparation of group 13 hydride complexes supported by N,N',N'-substituted 1,2-ethanediamines is reported. Dihydridoalanes LAlH2, for which the aggregation behaviour in solution and in the solid state is modulated by the steric bulk of the aryl substituent, readily react with elemental sulphur affording dinuclear aluminium sulphide complexes. Chloridohydrido trielanes LEHCl (E = B, Al, Ga) have been synthesized as well starting from the hydrochloride salts of the protio-ligands and the chlorido substituent within LAlHCl is readily replaced using Li[N(SiMe3)2]. Depending on the steric bulk of the ligand, the chloridohydrido gallane gives rise to a dinuclear gallium(ii) complex upon heating. All twelve complexes reported in here have been fully characterized and the solid-state structure of eleven complexes has been examined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.