Facile Reactions for the Preparation of (Me3CCH2)2GaNH22 and of GaN

Abstract : Four reactions of neopentylgallium compounds with ammonia have been investigated. The dihydronaphthalene derivative C10H8Ga(CH2CMe3)22-2NaCl has been observed to react with anhydrous ammonia at low temperature (-78 deg C)to form (Me3CH2)2GaNH2, dihydronaphthalene (C10H10) and NaCl whereas the related elimination reaction between Ga(CH2CMe3)3 and NH3 occurred at 140 - 150 deg C. The new compound (Me3CCH2)2GaNH2 also was prepared by reacting Ga(CH2CMe3)2Cl with sodium in liquid ammonia at -70 deg C. Bisneopentylgallium amide was fully characterized and exists as a dimer at room temperature in benzene solution. Neopentylgallium(I) Ga(CH2CMe3)n has been observed also to react with NH3 at 460 - 480 deg C to form GaN(s), CMe4 and H2.