Aminoalkoxo-supported heteroleptic hexanuclear gallium(III) wheel as a synthon for group 13 heterometallics: A rare sol–gel precursor for mixed Al–Ga oxide as support for gold catalysts

A new heteroleptic gallium(III) complex, Ga6Cl6(mdea)6 (1·2CHCl3) (mdeaH2 = N-methyl diethanolamine) was prepared in good yield by a chloro-aminoalkoxo exchange reaction and used as a synthon for the synthesis of a novel group 13 heterometallic derivative, Ga2Al4(O)2(mdea)2(OPri)10 (2·2CHCl3), the latter acting as a facile single source precursor for the sol–gel preparation of the mixed Al–Ga oxide as a high surface area support for gold catalysts.