Synthesis,spectral, and structural investigation of [ML(NO3)2]: M = Co,Ni, Cu; L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine

Synthesis and structural characterization of distorted pentagonal bipyramidal Co(II), pseudo-octahedral Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the type [ML(NO₃)₂], {L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine} are reported. Characterization includes elemental analysis, spectral, magnetism, and X-ray crystallographic studies. In case of cobalt (1) both the nitrates coordinate in bidentate fashion resulting overall distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. In nickel (2) and copper (3) complexes, bivalent metal ion is coordinated by the three nitrogen atoms of the tridentate L with two pyridine-N occupying trans positions and amongst the two nitrates one coordinates in a bidentate fashion while other adopts a monodentate fashion. All the complexes exhibit d–d transitions in the visible region. Complex 1 is high-spin in nature and the X-band EPR spectra of 1, and 3 at room temperature and 77 K are reported.     

Synthesis,structure and properties of [ML(NO3)2]: M = Co,Ni, Cu; L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-carbaldimine

Syntheses of complexes of the type [ML(NO₃)₂], where M = Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-carbaldimine, a tridentate ligand, are described. They were characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, magnetic, thermal studies, and X-ray crystallography. In the cobalt (1), nickel (2), and copper (3) complexes, the bivalent metal ion is coordinated by the three nitrogen atoms of the tridentate L with two pyridine-N groups occupying trans positions. Amongst the two nitrates one coordinates in a bidentate fashion while the other adopts a monodentate fashion. The X-band EPR spectra of 1, 2, and 3 in the polycrystalline state and in acetonitrile solution at 77 K are reported. Room temperature vibrating sample magnetometer data of 1, 2, and 3 afforded μ_eff values respectively of 3.928, 3.897, and 1.952 BM. The thermal stability order is 1 > 2 > 3, showing a reverse Irving-Williams trend.     

Effect of size of metal ion on MS4N2 chromophore: Synthesis,spectral and single crystal X-ray structural studies on (2,2′-bipyridine)bis(N-cyclohexyl-N-methyldithiocarbamato)M(II) (M = zinc,cadmium)

Isomorphous complexes [Zn(S₂CN(Me)Cy)₂(bipy)] (1) and [Cd(S₂CN(Me)Cy)₂(bipy)] (2) (where Cy(Me)NCS₂⁻ = N-cyclohexyl-N-methyldithiocarbamate anion and bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesised. Their structures and spectroscopic properties have been studied by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray analysis. IR spectrum of the complexes show the contribution of thioureide form to the structures. ¹H NMR spectra of the complexes showed the desheilding of methyl protons and H-1 of cyclohexyl group on complexation. The downfield shift of N¹³CS₂, methyl carbon and C-1 of cyclohexyl group carbon signals for 2 (205.5, 36.7 and 64.4 ppm) from the chemical shift value of 1 (204.2, 35.6 and 63.1 ppm) is attributed to the movement of more electron density from dithiocarbamate towards cadmium. Single crystal X-ray structures of 1 and 2 indicate that the central metal atom is in a distorted octahedral environment for both complexes. The presence of added 2,2′-bipyridine ligand in the coordination sphere of M(S₂CN(Me)Cy)₂ increases Zn–S distances and decreases S–Zn–S angles in 1 and slightly increases Cd–S distances in 2. S–Cd–S angles are not affected. This is due to the relatively larger size of the cadmium ion compared to zinc ion which alleviates the strain involved in transformation from tetrahedral to octahedral.     

Reactivity of M(en)Cl2 (M = Pd/Pt,en = 1,2-diaminoethane) with N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-p-phenylenediamine: Binding with hexafluorobenzene

Schiff base N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-p-phenylenediamine (LH₂) complexed with Pt(en)Cl₂ and Pd(en)Cl₂ provided [Pt(en)L]₂ · 4PF₆ (1) and Pd(Salen) (2) (Salen = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-ethylenediamine), respectively, which were characterized by their elemental analysis, spectroscopic data and X-ray data. A solid complex obtained by the reaction of hexafluorobenzene (hfb) with the representative complex 1 has been isolated and characterized as 3 (1 · hfb) using UV–Vis, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F) data. A solid complex of hfb with a reported Zn-cyclophane 4 has also been prepared and characterized 5 (4 · hfb) for comparison with complex 3. The association of hfb with 1 and 4 has also been monitored using UV–Vis and luminescence data.     

Preparation, crystal structures, EPR and reflectance spectra of two new charge-transfer salts, [CpFeCpCH2N(CH3)3]4[XMo12O40] · nCH3CN (n = 0 for X = P or n = 1 for X = Ge)

Two new charge-transfer salts, [CpFeCpCH₂N(CH₃)₃]₄[PMo₁₂O₄₀] · CH₃CN (1) and [CpFeCpCH₂N(CH₃)₃]₄[GeMo₁₂O₄₀] (2), were synthesized by the traditional solution synthetic method and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Salt 1 belongs to the triclinic space group P1, and salt 2 belongs to the triclinic space group . There exist the complex interactions of the cationic ferrocenyl donor and Keggin polyanion in the solid state. The solid state UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra indicate the presence of a charge-transfer band climbing from 450 nm to well beyond 900 nm for 1, a charge-transfer band from 460 to 850 nm with λ_max = 630 nm for 2.The EPR spectra of salts 1 and 2 at 77 K show a signal at g = 2.0048 and 1.9501, respectively, ascribed to the delocalization of one electron in reduced Keggin ion in salt 1 and the Mo^VI in [GeMo₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ is partly reduced to Mo^V owing to the charge-transfer transitions taking place between the ferrocenyl donors and the POM acceptors. The two compounds were also characterized by IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.     

A series of three-dimensional coordination polymers with general formula [{Ln(H2O)n}{Re6Te8(CN)6}] · xH2O (Ln = Eu,Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er, Tm,Yb; n = 3, 4, x = 0, 2.5)

A series of new compounds containing rare earth cations (Eu to Yb) and paramagnetic cluster anion [Re₆Te₈(CN)₆]³⁻ was prepared and investigated. The X-ray structural analyses have revealed that the compounds [{Ln(H₂O)₄}{Re₆Te₈(CN)₆}] · 2.5H₂O; Ln = Eu (1), Tb (3), Dy (4), Ho (5), Er (6), Tm (7), [{Gd(H₂O)₃}{Re₆Te₈(CN)₆}] · 2.5H₂O (2) and [{Yb(H₂O)₄}{Re₆Te₈(CN)₆}] (8) are three-dimensional polymers based on Re–CN–Ln interactions. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility for 2 and 5 showed that effective magnetic moment (at 300 K) was 8.13 μ_B for compound 2 and 10.79 μ_B for compound 5 with weak antiferromagnetic ordering appeared at low temperatures.     

Formation and structural characterization of mercury complexes from Te(R)CH2SiMe3 (R = Ph, CH2SiMe3) and HgCl2

The reaction of HgCl₂ and Te(R)CH₂SiMe₃ [R = CH₂SiMe₃ (1), Ph (2)] in ethanol yielded a mononuclear complex [HgCl₂{Te(R)CH₂SiMe₃}₂] (R = Ph, 3a; R = CH₂SiMe₃, 3b). The recrystallization of 3a or 3b from CH₂Cl₂ produced a dinuclear complex [Hg₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂{Te(R)CH₂SiMe₃}₂] (R = Ph, 4a; R = CH₂SiMe₃, 4b). When 3a was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂, the solvent quickly removed, and the solid recrystallized from EtOH, a stable ionic [HgCl{Te(Ph)CH₂SiMe₃}₃]Cl·2EtOH (5a·2EtOH) was obtained. Crystals of [HgCl₂{Te(CH₂SiMe)₂}]·2HgCl₂·CH₂Cl₂ (6b·2HgCl₂·CH₂Cl₂) were obtained from the CH₂Cl₂ solution of 3b upon prolonged standing. The complex formation was monitored by ¹²⁵Te-, and ¹⁹⁹Hg NMR spectroscopy, and the crystal structures of the complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Syntheses and study on nickel and copper complexes with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid. Crystal and molecular structure of [Cu3(mdpta)3(btc)](ClO4)3 · 4H2O

Nickel and copper complexes containing 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, with a combination of selected N-donor ligands and Schiff bases, of the composition Ni₃(bimz)₆(btc)₂ · 12H₂O (1), Ni₃(btz)₉(btc)₂ · 12H₂O (2), Ni₂(L₁)(btc) · 7H₂O (3), Ni₃(L₂)₂(Hbtc) · 9H₂O (4), Ni₂(L₃)(btc) · 4H₂O (5), Cu₂(L₄)(btc) · 7H₂O (6), [Cu₃(pmdien)₃(btc)](ClO₄)₃ · 6H₂O (7) and [Cu₃(mdpta)₃(btc)](ClO₄)₃ · 4H₂O (8); H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, bimz = benzimidazole, btz = 1,2,3-benztriazole, L₁ = 2-[(phenylimino)methyl]phenol, L₂ = N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)propylenediamine, L₃ = 2-{[(2-nitrophenyl)methylene]amino}phenol, L₄ = 2-[(4-methoxy-phenylimino)methyl]phenol, pmdien = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, mdpta = N,N-bis-(3-aminopropyl)methylamine, have been synthesized. The complexes have been studied by elemental analysis, IR, UV–Vis spectroscopies, magnetochemical and conductivity measurements and selected compounds also by thermal analysis. The crystal and molecular structure of complex 8 was solved. The complex is trinuclear with btc³⁻-bridge. The coordination polyhedron around each copper atom can be described as a distorted square with a CuON₃ chromophore formed by one oxygen atom of carboxylate and three nitrogen atoms of mdpta. The magnetic properties of 8 have been studied in the 1.8–300 K temperature range revealing a very weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction with J = −0.56 cm⁻¹ for g = 2.13(9). The antimicrobial activities against selected strains of bacteria were evaluated. It was found that only complex 5 is able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus strains.     

Selenium-capped trimolybdenum and tritungsten carbonyl clusters [Se2M3(CO)10] (M = Mo, W)

A facile synthesis of the novel selenium-capped trimolybdenum and tritungsten ring carbonyl clusters [Se₂M₃(CO)₁₀]²⁻ (M = Mo, 1; W, 4) have been achieved. The selenium-capped trimolybdenum cluster compound [Et₄N]₂[Se₂Mo₃(CO)₁₀] ([Et₄N]₂[1]) can be obtained from the reaction of the trichromium cluster compound [Et₄N]₂[Se₂Cr₃(CO)₁₀] with 4 equiv. of Mo(CO)₆ in refluxing acetone. On the other hand, when [Et₄N]₂[Se₂Cr₃(CO)₁₀] reacted with 4 equiv. of W(CO)₆ in refluxing acetone, the planar cluster compound [Et₄N]₂[Se₂W₄(CO)₁₈] ([Et₄N]₂[3]) was isolated, which could further transform to the tritungsten cluster compound [Et₄N]₂[Se₂W₃(CO)₁₀] ([Et₄N]₂[4]) in good yield. Alternatively, clusters 1 and 4 could be formed from the reactions of the monosubstituted products [Et₄N]₂[Se₂Cr₂M(CO)₁₀] (M = Mo; W, [Et₄N]₂[2]) with 3 equiv. of M(CO)₆ in acetone, respectively. Complexes 1-4 are fully characterized by IR, ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Clusters 1, 2, and 4 are isostructural and each display a trigonal bipyramidal structure with a homometallic M₃ ring (M = Mo, 1; W, 4) or a heterometallic Cr₂W ring that is further capped above and below by μ₃-Se atoms. Further, the intermediate planar complex 3 exhibits a Se₂W₂ square with each Se atom externally coordinated to one W(CO)₅ group. This paper describes a systematic route to a series of selenium-capped trimetallic carbonyl clusters and the formation and the structural features of the resultant clusters are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterisation of six Fe(II or III), Co(II) or Zr(IV) complexes containing the ligand [CH(SiMe2R)P(Ph)2NSiMe3] (R = Me, NEt2) and of [Co{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)2NSiMe3}2]

The C,N-(trimethylsilyliminodiphenylphosphoranyl)silylmethylmetal complexes [Fe(L)₂] (3), [Co(L)₂] (4), [ZrCl₃(L)]·0.83CH₂Cl₂ (5), [Fe(L)₃] (6), [Fe(L′)₂] (7) and [Co(L′)₂] (8) have been prepared from the lithium compound Li[CH(SiMe₂R)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [1a, (R = Me) {≡ Li(L)}; 1b, (R = NEt₂) {≡ Li(L′)}] and the appropriate metal chloride (or for 7, FeCl₃). From Li[N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [≡ Li(L″)] (2), prepared in situ from Li(L) (1a) and PhCN, and CoCl₂ there was obtained bis(3-trimethylsilylimino- diphenylphosphoranyl-2-phenyl-N-trimethylsilyl-1-azaallyl-N,N′)cobalt(II) (9). These crystalline complexes 3-9 were characterised by their mass spectra, microanalyses, high spin magnetic moments (not 5) and for 5 multinuclear NMR solution spectra. The X-ray structure of 3 showed it to be a pseudotetrahedral bis(chelate), the iron atom at the spiro junction.     

New stable germylenes, stannylenes, and related compounds: 6. Heteroleptic germanium(II) and tin(II) compounds [(SiMe3)2N-E-OCH2CH2NMe2]n (E = Ge, n = 1; Sn, n = 2): synthesis and structure

New stable heteroleptic germanium(II) and tin(II) compounds [(SiMe₃)₂N-E¹⁴-OCH₂CH₂NMe₂]_n (E¹⁴ = Ge, n = 1 (1), Sn, n = 2 (2)) have been synthesized and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. While compound 1 is monomer stabilized by intramolecular Ge ← N coordination, compound 2 is associated to dimer via intermolecular dative Sn ← O interactions.     

Dinitrogen extrusion from diazidophenylborane: Computational analysis of PhBNx (x = 6, 4, 2) isomers

The energies and structures of possible intermediates in the dinitrogen extrusion from diazidophenylborane 4a to give phenylborylene 11a were determined using density functional (B3LYP), multiconfigurational (CASSCF and MRMP2), and coupled cluster (CCSD(T)) computations in conjunction with basis sets of up to cc-pVTZ quality. Formation of 11a and nitrogen from 4a is an exothermic process (−21 kcal mol⁻¹). The triplet electronic ground state of azidophenylborylnitrene 5a (PhBN₄) is only 26 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy than 4a and the phenyl shift in 5a to yield N-azidophenyliminoborane 7a is highly exothermic.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal diselenophosphates: M[Se2P(OR)2]2 (M = Pd,Pt; R = Et,Pr, Pr)

The first Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes incorporating diselenophosphate (dsep) ligands are presented. Treatment of M(II) (M = Pd, Pt) salts with two equivalents of the dsep ligand in CH₂Cl₂ yielded square-planar compounds of the type M[Se₂P(OR)₂]₂ (M = Pd, Pt; R = Et, ⁱPr, ⁿPr) (1a–2c). These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (1b and 2b). The dsep ligands coordinate to the metal in an approximately isobidentate fashion and form four-membered Se–P–Se–M chelate rings. Structural elucidations indicated that minute differences exist in the M–Se bond distances and these were observed from solution ³¹P NMR studies, which exhibited two sets of satellites arising from one-bond coupling to ⁷⁷Se nuclei. A packing diagram showed a chain-like motif which was composed of square-planar M[Se₂P(OR)₂]₂ units and occurred via non-covalent Se?Se secondary interactions.     

Syntheses and structures of [Me2Si{As(PBu)3}2] and [(CyP)3SiMe2] (Cy = cyclohexyl, C6H11)

The reaction of the anion [(^tBuP)₃As]⁻ (1) with Me₂SiCl₂ results in nucleophilic substitution of the Cl⁻ anions, giving the di- and mono-substituted products [Me₂Si{As(P^tBu)₃}₂] (3a) and [Me₂Si(Cl){As(P^tBu)₃}] (3b). Analogous reactions of the pre-isolated [(CyP)₄As]⁻ anion (2) (Cy = cyclohexyl) with Me₂SiCl₂ produced mixtures of products, from which no pure materials could be isolated. However, reaction of 2 [generated in situ from CyPHLi and As(NMe₂)₃] gives the heterocycle [(CyP)₃SiMe₂] (4). The X-ray structures of 3a and 4 are reported.     

Aqueous syntheses of [(Cp-R)M(CO)3] type complexes (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, M = Mn, Tc, Re) with bioactive functionalities

We describe reactions of [^99mTc(H₂O)₃(CO)₃)]⁺ (1) with Diels-Alder products of cyclopentadiene such as “Thiele’s acid” (HCp-COOH)₂ (2) and derivatives thereof in which the corresponding [(Cp-COOH)^99mTc(CO)₃)] (3) complex did form in water. We propose a metal mediated Diels-Alder reaction mechanism. To show that this reaction was not limited to carboxylate groups, we synthesized conjugates of 2 (HCp-CONHR)₂ (4a-c) (4a, R = benzyl amine; 4b, R = N_α-Boc-l-2,3-diaminopropionic acid and 4c, R = glycine). The corresponding ^99mTc complexes [(4a)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6a, [(4b)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6b and [(4c)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6c have been prepared along the same route as for Thiele’s acid in aqueous media demonstrating the general applicability of this synthetic strategy. The authenticity of the ^99mTc complexes on the no carrier added level have been confirmed by chromatographic comparison with the structurally characterized manganese or rhenium complexes.Studies of the reaction of 1 with Thiele’s acid bound to a solid phase resin demonstrated the formation of [(Cp-COOH)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 3 in a heterogeneous reaction. This is the first evidence for the formation of no carrier added ^99mTc radiopharmaceuticals containing cyclopentadienyl ligands via solid phase syntheses. Macroscopically, the manganese analogue 5a and the rhenium complexes 5b-c have been prepared and characterized by IR, NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography for 5a (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 9.8696(2) Å, b = 25.8533(4) Å, c = 11.8414(2) Å, β = 98.7322(17)°) in order to unambiguously assign the authenticity of the corresponding ^99mTc complexes.     

Dimeric and trimeric diorganosilicon chalcogenides (PhRSiE)2,3 (E = S, Se, Te; R = Ph, Me)

Ph₂SiCl₂ and PhMeSiCl₂ react with Li₂E (E = S, Se, Te) under formation of trimeric diorganosilicon chalcogenides (PhRSiE)₃ (R = Ph: 1a-3a, R = Me: cis/trans-4a (E = S), cis/trans-5a (E = Se)). In case of E = S, Se dimeric four-membered ring compounds (PhRSiE)₂ (R = Ph: 1b-2b, R = Me: cis/trans-4b (E = S), cis/trans-5b (E = Se)) have been observed as by-products. 1a-5b have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ⁷⁷Se, ¹²⁵Te). Four- and six-membered ring compounds differ significantly in ²⁹Si and ⁷⁷Se chemical shifts as well as in the value of ¹J_SiSe.The molecular structures of 2a, 3a and trans-5a reported in this paper are the first examples of compounds with unfused six-membered rings Si₃E₃ (E = Se, Te). The Si₃E₃ rings adopt twisted boat conformations. The crystal structure of 3a reveals an intermolecular Te-Te contact of 3.858 Å which yields a dimerization in the solid state.     

Some complexes containing carbon chains end-capped by M(CO)2Tp′ [M = Mo, W; Tp′ = HB(pz)3, HB(dmpz)3] groups

Complexes M(CCCSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp′ (Tp′ = Tp [HB(pz)₃], M = Mo 2, W 4; Tp′ = Tp^∗ [HB(dmpz)₃], M = Mo 3) are obtained from M(CCCSiMe₃)(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(tmeda) (1) and K[Tp′].Reactions of 2 or 4 with AuCl(PPh₃)/K₂CO₃ in MeOH afforded M{CCCAu(PPh₃)}(CO)₂Tp′ (M = Mo 5, W 6) containing C₃ chains linking the Group 6 metal and gold centres.In turn, the gold complexes react with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ to give the C₄-bridged {Tp(OC)₂M}CCCC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (M = Mo 7, W 8), while Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Co₃{μ₃-C(CC)₂Au(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ give {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)₂C{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (9) via a phosphine-gold(I) halide elimination reaction. The C₃ complexes Tp′(OC)₂MCCCRu(dppe)Cp^∗ (Tp′ = Tp, M = Mo 10, W 11; Tp′ = Tp^∗, M = Mo 12) were obtained from 2-4 and RuCl(dppe)Cp^∗ via KF-induced metalla-desilylation reactions. Reactions between Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Ru{(CC)_nAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp^∗ (n = 2, 3) afforded {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)_n{Ru(dppe)Cp^∗} (n = 2 13, 3 14), containing C₅ and C₇ chains, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are reported.     

Reactions of the metallocene dichlorides [M(Cp)2Cl2] (M = Zr, Hf) and [Ti(MeCp)2Cl2] with the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate(−2) ligand: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and X-ray structures of the products

The reactivity pattern of the 16-electron species [M(Cp)₂Cl₂] (M = Zr, Hf; Cp⁻ = η⁵-C₅H₅⁻) and [Ti(MeCp)₂Cl₂] (MeCp⁻ = η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃⁻) towards the dipicolinate(−2) (dipic²⁻) ligand under mild (ambient temperature) and convenient (aerobic reactions, aqueous media) conditions have been investigated. The syntheses, molecular structures and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H NMR) characterization are reported for the 18-electron products [Zr(Cp)₂(dipic)] (1), [Hf(Cp)₂(dipic)] (2) and [Ti(MeCp)₂(dipic)] (3). The dipic²⁻ ion behaves as N,O,O′-chelating ligand in the three complexes, while the centroids of the Cp⁻ (1, 2) and MeCp⁻ (3) rings formally occupy the fourth and fifth coordination sites about the central metal. The two identical/very similar bite angles of only ∼70° make the dipic²⁻ ligand particularly suited to form stable metallocene derivatives with 5-coordinate geometry. IR and ¹H NMR data are discussed in terms of the known structures and the tridentate chelating mode of the dipic²⁻ ligand.     

Gallium tri-chloride derivatives of the sterically demanding pyridines 2,6-Ar2C6H3N (Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 or 2,4,6-Pr3C6H2)

The sterically demanding pyridines 2,6-Ar₂C₆H₃N [Ar = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (1) or 2,4,6-Prⁱ₃C₆H₂ (2)] were prepared by a palladium catalysed Kumada C–C coupling reaction in high yield. Pyridine 1 reacted with one equivalent of GaCl₃ to afford the tetra-chloro gallate–pyridinium ion pair complex [GaCl₄]⁻[2,6-(2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)₂C₆H₃NH]⁺ (3). Contrastingly, pyridine 2 reacted with one equivalent of GaCl₃ to afford the anticipated donor-acceptor complex [GaCl₃{2,6-(2,4,6-Prⁱ₃C₆H₂)₂C₆H₃N}] (4). Complexes 1–4 have been characterised variously by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, CHN, and mass spectrometry.