Gallium–gallium bonds as efficient templates for the generation of a large cage containing twelve gallium atoms

Abstract

Treatment of the digallium compound R₂Ga–GaR₂1 [R = CH(SiMe₃)₂] with benzotriazol-5-carboxylic acid afforded a large cage-like compound in which six Ga–Ga bonds are bridged by six trifunctional ligands. The central cavity encapsulated a THF molecule which cannot be removed in vacuo and does not show exchange with a large excess of the solvent.