Structural comparisons between analogously substituted gallane–pnictine adducts

The syntheses and solid-state structures of five Lewis acid–base adducts Et3Ga–E(SiMe3)3 (E = P (1), As (2), Sb (3)), i-Bu(t-Bu)2Ga–P(i-Pr)3 (4) and (t-Bu)3Ga–As(i-Pr)3 (5) are described and the structural trends observed within these adducts are discussed and compared with those reported for the corresponding alane adducts. GaC bond distances and CGaC bond angles were found to be useful structural parameters to estimate the strength of the Lewis acid–base interaction in the solid state. In addition, the solid-state structure of uncomplexed t-Bu3Ga (6) is reported. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.