Synthesis and molecular structure of [But2Ga{µ-O2P(Ph)OGaBut2}]2: a novel three-coordinate gallium compound

Abstract

The reaction of GaBu^t₃ with phenylphosphonic acid results in the formation of the unusual phosphonate bridged dimer, [Bu^t₂Ga{µ-O₂P(Ph)OGaBu^t₂}]₂, whose molecular structure consists of two four- and two three-coordinate gallium centres; while [Bu^t₂Ga{µ-O₂P(Ph)OGaBu^t₂}]₂ exists as the trans isomer in the solid state, it undergoes a trans to cis isomerization in solution, ΔH= 7 ± 1 kJ mol^–1 and ΔS= 25 ± 4 J mol^–1 K^–1.