SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ORGANOINDIUM PHOSPHIDES R(2)INPPH(2) (R=I-PR, CH(2)PH) AND THE HETEROCUBANE [MESINPMES](4)

The reaction of i-Pr2InCl and (PhCH(2))(2)InCl with LiPPh(2) in Et(2)P /THF or Et(2)O/n-pentane gives the organoindium phosphides i-Pr(2)InPP h(2) (1) and (PhCH(2))(2)InPPh(2) (2), respectively. The tetrameric co mpound [MesInPMes](4) (3) has been prepared by the treatment of MesInC l(2) with MesPLi(2) Et(2)O. 1-3 have been characterized by NMR, IR, an d MS techniques as well as by X-ray diffraction. According to cryoscop ic molecular weight determinations in benzene, 1 and 2 are present as a monomer-dimer equilibrium mixture, while 3 is tetrameric in solution . The X-ray analyses of 1 and 2 confirm the existence in the solid sta te of trimers in [i-Pr(2)InPPh(2)](3) and [(PhCH(2))(2)InPPh(2)](3) . OEt(2) with distorted In3P3 six-membered rings in boat conformations. According to its structural characterization [MesInPMes]4 . 4.5THF is a heterocubane with an In4P4 core shielded by the bulky organic groups .