2,6-Mes(2)C(6)H(3)](2)Ga(+)Li[Al(OCH(CF(3))(2))(4)](2)(-) (Mes = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)): A compound containing a linear unsolvated two-coordinate gallium cation

The title compound 2,6-Mes(2)C(2)H(3)](2)Ga(+)LiAl(OCH(CF(3))(2))(4)](2)(-), 1, containing a linear two-coordinate gallium cation, has been obtained by metathesis reaction of 2,6-Mes(2)C(2)H(3)](2)GaCl with 2 equiv of LiAl(OCH(CF(3))(2))(4)] in C(6)H(5)Cl solution at room temperature. Compound 1 has been characterized by (1)H, (13)C((1)H), (19)F, and (27)Al NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 consists of isolated 2,6-Mes(2)C(6)H(3)](2)Ga(+) cations and LiAl(OCH(CF(3))(2))(4)](2)(-) anions. The C-Ga-C angle is 175.69(7) degrees, and the Ga-C distances are 1.9130(14) and 1.9145(16) A. The title compound is remarkably stable, is only a weak Lewis acid, and polymerizes cyclohexene oxide.