Synthetic and structural studies of gallium-phosphorous, gallium-arsenic, and indium-phosphorous compounds with chromophoric substituents

Treatment of t-Bu2PLi or t-Bu2AsLi with the appropriate gallium or indium chloride allows seven group 13/15 four-membered-ring compounds of the general type [R2ME-t-Bu2]2 with the chromophoric substituents (R) vinyl, allyl and benzyl to be synthesized. Compounds of structure 1, where M = Ga, were prepared by alkane, silyl halide and salt elimination reactions. It was found that lithium alkyls are the preferred alkylating agents. Substantial byproduct formation resulted from the use of Grignard reagents.