The synthesis and characterization of the novel sterically encumbered Ga(I) ligand GaCp*
Ph (1b) (Cp*
Ph = C
5Me
4Ph)is presented. GaCp*
Ph reacts with the Pd(0) source Pd
2(dvds)
3 (dvds = tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane) to give thetrinuclear cluster [Pd
3(GaCp*
Ph)(
2-GaCp*
Ph)(
3-GaCp*
Ph)
2(dvds)] (
2a).
2a is the first example of a Ga(I)-containingcluster with a potentially labile olefinic ligand. It was found that
2a is an intermediate in the formation of thedinuclear cluster [Pd
2(GaCp*
Ph)
2(
2-GaCp*
Ph)
3] (
2b), which is formed on reaction of
2a with GaCp*
Ph. Both clusterswere found to be labile toward GaCp*, AlCp*, or phosphines, giving substitution products in all cases.