SYNTHESIS OF GALLA-3-CYCLOPENTENES AND ST RUCTURE OF [(3,4-ME(2)C(4)H(4))GA (NET(2))](2)

Dichloro(dialkylamino)gallanes [GaCl2(NEt(2))](2) (1a) and [GaCl2{N(CH 2)(5)}](2) (1b) have been prepared from gallium trichloride and approp riate lithium dialkylamides. Compound 1b reacts with LiMe to give the known compound [GaMe(2){N(CH2)(5)}](2) (2). Treatment of 1a,b with Mg( C4H6)(THF)(2) produces mixtures of dimeric and trimeric 1-(dialkylamin o)-1-galla-3-cyclopentenes [(C4H6)Ga(NR(2))](x) (x = 2,3) (3a,b) while with Mg(2,3-Me(2)C(4)H(4))(THF)(2), the dimeric 3,4-dimethyl derivati ves [(2,3-Me(2)C(4)H(4))Ga(NR(2))](2) (4a,b) are obtained. The structu re of 4a has been determined by X-ray crystallography.