Expectation and surprise in group 13 organometallics: molecular vs. polymeric aggregation of Me2Ga and Me2In norcamphor oximates

Abstract

Whereas (meso)-[(norcamphor oximato)GaMe2]2 exhibits the dimeric M2O2N2 motif favoured by organo group 13 metal oximates, the Me2In derivative [{(meso)-[(norcamphor oximato)InMe2]2}2]infinity aggregates distinctly different with the In atoms adopting coordination number (CN)=5; compound is the first oximato-based chain-like coordination polymer in group 13 organometallics; it comprises alternating M2O2N2 and M2O2 ring dimers interconnected via two types of a fifth dative bond (O-->In and N-->In) to yield the new {M4O4N4}infinity motif; the calculated energetics of the heteroatom rings involved in and confirm the diverging aggregational behaviour of Ga and In.