The reaction of GaI with a 1,3-diyne: synthesis, characterisation and reactivity of a novel C–C coupled ene–diyne–bis(gemorganodigallium(III)) complex

Treatment of ʹGaIʹ with a 1,3-diyne, Me3SiC=CC=CSiMe3, leads to C–C coupling reactions and the isolation of the novel organogallium species, [Ga4I8{C8(SiMe3)4}], as two isomeric forms; their X-ray crystal structures show them to contain the first structurally authenticated gemorganodigallium fragments and to exhibit rare examples of Ga–alkyne (pi)-interactions.