The dihydronaphthalene elimination reaction as a route to gallium-nitrogen compounds. Crystal and molecular structure of [(PhMe2CCH2)2GaNHPh]2

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om9801249

The dihydronaphthalene derivative Na₂{C₁₀H₈[Ga(CH₂CMe ₂Ph)₂Cl]₂} reacts at room temperature with NH₃, n-PrNH₂, and PhNH₂ in THF solution to give high yields of [(PhMe₂-CCH₂)₂GaNHR]₂ (R = H, n-Pr, Ph), C₁₀H₁₀, and NaCl. In contrast, the elimination reactions between Ga(CH₂CMe₂Ph)₃ with these same amines to form [(PhMe₂CCH₂)₂GaNHR]₂ and PhCMe3 require temperatures of 150°C. The cyclopentadiene elimination reaction between (PhMe₂CCH₂)₂Ga(C₅H₅) and aniline occurs at -10°C and is the fastest of these three. An X-ray structural study of [(PhMe₂CCH₂)₂GaNHPh]₂ identified it as the trans isomer.