Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of the first homoleptic main group diazadiene complex, bis(1,4-di-t-butyl-1,4-diazabuta-1,3-diene) gallium

Abstract

Cocondensation of gallium vapour with 1,4-di-t-butyl-1,4-diazabuta-1,3-diene (Bu^tdab) affords the title compound as the first example of a homoleptic main group diazadiene complex; X-ray crystallography shows the molecule to possess distorted tetrahedral geometry, and together with e.s.r. and magnetic data suggests it to be a unique example of gallium(II) in which one of the diazadine ligands has been doubly reduced.