On the chemistry of gallium: Part 19. Synthesis and crystal structure analysis of novel complexes containing Ga–FeCp(CO)2-fragments

The gallium subhalides Ga2Cl4·2dioxane and sonochemically prepared GaI were reacted with the carbonyl ferrate K[Cp(CO)2Fe] and the iron carbonyl dimer [Cp(CO)2Fe]2, respectively. In all the reactions performed, the gallium(I) and gallium(II) compounds disproportionated into elemental gallium and gallium(III) compounds. Several novel complexes containing Ga–FeCp(CO)2 fragments were isolated and characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray crystal structure analysis. These are compounds of the types Cp(CO)2FeGaX2(B) [B=THF, dioxane, I−[FeCp(C7H8)]+; X=Cl, I] and [Cp(CO)2Fe]2GaCl(B) [B=THF, 0.5 KCl]. In addition, the cage compounds [Cp(CO)2FeGa]6(μ3-O)4(μ-OH)2I2 and [Cp(CO)2FeGa]4FeK2(OEt2)4(μ3-O)2(μ-Br)4(μ3-Br)4 were isolated. In all these complexes the gallium atoms are surrounded tetrahedrally by substituents. GaFe bond lengths are in the range of 231–239 pm.