Synthesis and Structure of a Tetragallane [R₄Ga₄I₃]⁻ and a Polyhedral Nonagallane [R₆Ga₉]

Abstract

A doubly edge-bridged pentagonal bipyramid of gallium atoms (depicted on the right) occurs in the gallium cluster [R6Ga9]− (1). Anion 1, like the electron-precise [(RGa)4I3]−, which has a heterocubane framework, is accessible from “GaI” and RLi(thf)3. R = Si(SiMe3)3.