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. Ga? C bond distances and C? Ga? C 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.