The crystal and molecular structure of dimethylindium-pyridine-2-carbaldehyde oximate [InMe2(ON=CHC5H4N)]2

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

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.

Group 13 compounds incorporating Salen ligands

In a previous review it was predicted that "the reactivity of five-coordinate complexes would certainly be different than that of the four-coordinate derivatives". Structurally and spectroscopically, there is very little difference in the higher-coordinate compounds when compared to the four-coordinate derivatives. However, the prediction was remarkably accurate, if not a bit understated, for the reactivity of these compounds. There appears to be a tremendous potential in catalysis and synthesis for the five-coordinate derivatives, far more possibilities than exist for the lower-coordinate derivatives. Furthermore, the higher-coordinate derivatives are rarely air or moisture sensitive and, thus, may be handled under a wider range of conditions. Although reactions such as oxirane and lactide polymerizations are fairly well-known now with five- and six-coordinate aluminum compounds, the potential of these compounds has only begun to be developed. It is easy to imagine that these types of compounds will see wider use than the related transition-metal compounds.