Si-NH-M cage compounds - Molecular iminosilicates containing group 13 metals and their functionalized halogen containing derivatives

The reaction of a kinetically stable triaminosilane RSi(NH2)(3) (R = 2,6-iP r(2)C(6)H(3)NSiMe(2)iPr) (1) with trialkyl group 13 metal compounds MR3 (R = Me, Et; M = Al, Ga, In) leads to Si-NH-M cage molecules, which increase i n solubility from aluminum to indium in common weakly-coordinating organic solvents like toluene. These compounds may he regarded as model systems for group 13 metal containing iminosilicates. X-ray studies show a prismatic c age framework which is isostructural and isoelectronic with known heterosil oxanes. Further functionalization of these compounds without cleavage of th e cage molecule was achieved by reaction with elemental bromine and iodine.