Bimetallic complexes from amphoteric group 13/15 ligands: syntheses and X-ray crystal structures

Bimetallic, pentel-bridged complexes of the type (dmap)Me2M-E(SiMe3)2-M'(CO)n] (M=Al, Ga; E=P, As, Sb; M'=Cr, Fe, Ni; DMAP=4-(dimethylamino)pyridine) are formed by reactions of DMAP-coordinated monomeric Group 13/15 compounds (dmap)Me2M-E(SiMe3)2] with the transition metal complexes (Me3N)Cr(CO)5], Fe3(CO)12], and Ni(CO)4]. For the first time, this reaction offers a general pathway to compounds containing a Group 13 metal and a transition metal bridged by a pentel atom. Complexes prepared in this way were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Their electronic and structural properties are discussed in detail. The Group 13/15 ligands are very weak acceptors, which is likely to be due to the electropositive Group 13 metal, and the complexes feature comparatively long pentel-transition metal bonds. In addition, the synthesis and structural characterization of the parent DMAP-coordinated gallanes (dmap)Me2Ga-E(SiMe3)2] (E=P, As) are reported.