The synthesis and structural characterisation of the first gallium(II) dialkylphosphide complex

The reaction of a dialkyl phosphine–gallium(II) iodide complex, [Ga2I4{P(H)Cy2}2], Cy = cyclohexyl, with Et3N has been studied. This leads to proton abstraction from the phosphine ligand and formation of the first gallium(II)–phosphide complex, [Et3NH]2[Ga4I8(PCy2)2], the X-ray crystal structure of which reveals an unprecedented Ga4P2 heterocycle.