A synthetic approach to novel group 13/15 element complexes

The gallium chloro complex [GaCl{Fe(CO)(2)Cp}(2)] (Cp = eta(5)-C5H5) was reacted with KP-(SiMe3)(2) under special conditions to yield the complexes [{CpFe(CO)}(2){mu-(CO)} [mu-Ga{CpFe-(CO)(2)}]] (1) and [{CpFe(CO)(2)}GaP(SiMe3)]4 (2). Furthermore, [[{CpFe(CO)(2)}ClGa](mu-PPh2)(2)-FeCpCO] (4) was obtained by the reaction of [GaCl{Fe(CO)(2)CP}(2)] with LiPPh2. Complexes 1, 2, and 4 have been characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray structure analysis. Complex 2 represents an ideal Ga4P4-heterocubane, the first Ga-containing example of this structural type with organometallic substituted group 13 elements. In the solid state compound 4 possesses an almost planar GaPFeP four-membered ring, a novel structural motif in mixed group 13/15 chemistry.