Gallium(III) and indium(III) dithiolate complexes: Versatile precursors for metal sulfides

The chemistry of classical and organometallic complexes of gallium and indium with dithiolate ligands, i.e., dithiocarboxylates, xanthates, dithiocarbamates, dithiophosphates, dithiophophinates and dithioarsenates, has been reviewed. Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural aspects of these complexes are described. Their emerging role as single source molecular precursors for the preparation of metal sulfide thin films and nano-particles has been discussed.