Diradicaloid or Zwitterionic Character: The Non‐Tetrahedral Unsaturated Compound [Si4{N(SiMe3)Dipp}4] with a Butterfly‐type Si4 Substructure

The reduction of the tribromoamidosilane {N(SiMe₃)Dipp}SiBr₃ (Dipp=2,6‐i Pr₂C₆H₃) with potassium graphite or magnesium resulted in the formation of [Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄] ( 1 ), a bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasilatetraamide. The Si₄ motif in 1 does not adopt a tetrahedral substructure and exhibits two three‐coordinate and two four‐coordinate silicon atoms. The electronic situation on the three‐coordinate silicon atoms is rationalized with positive and negative polarization based on EPR analysis, magnetization measurements, and DFT calculations as well as ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy in solution. Reactivity studies with 1 and radical scavengers confirmed the partial charge separation. Compound 1 reacts with sulfur to give a novel type of silicon sulfur cage compound substituted with an amido ligand, [Si₄S₃{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄] ( 2 ).     

Facile Access to an NHC‐Coordinated Silicon Ring Compound with a Si=N Group and a Two‐Coordinate Silicon Atom

Reaction of the bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasilatetraamide Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄ 1 (Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) with 5 equiv of the N‐heterocyclic carbene NHC^Me4 (1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) affords a bifunctional carbene‐coordinated four‐membered‐ring compound with a Si=N group and a two‐coordinate silicon atom Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂(NHC^Me4)₂(NDipp) 2 . When 2 reacts with 0.25 equiv sulfur (S₈), two sulfur atoms add to the divalent silicon atom in plane and perpendicular to the plane of the Si₄ ring, which confirms the silylone character of the two‐coordinate silicon atom in 2 .     

Reactivity of the Bicyclic Amido-Substituted Silicon(I) Ring Compound Si4{N(SiMe3)Mes}4 with FLP-Type Character

The bicyclic amido-substituted silicon(I) ring compound Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Mes}₄ 2 (Mes=Mesityl=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) features enhanced zwitterionic character and different reactivity from the analogous compound Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄ 1 (Dipp=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) due to the smaller mesityl substituents. In a reaction with the N-heterocyclic carbene NHC (1,3,4,5-tetramethyl-imidazol-2-ylidene), we observe adduct formation to give Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Mes}₄ ⋅ NHC ( 3 ). This adduct reacts further with the Lewis acid BH₃ to yield the Lewis acid–base complex Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Mes}₄ ⋅ NHC ⋅ BH₃ ( 4 ). Coordination of AlBr₃ to 2 leads to the adduct 5 . Calculated proton affinities and fluoride ion affinities reveal highly Lewis basic and very weak Lewis acidic character of the low-valent silicon atoms in 1 and 2 . This is confirmed by protonation of 1 and 2 with Brookharts acid yielding 6 and 7 . Reaction with diphenylacetylene only occurs at 111 °C with 2 in toluene and is accompanied by fragmentation of 2 to afford the silacyclopropene 8 and the trisilanorbornadiene species 9 .     

Dispersion‐Force‐Assisted Disproportionation: A Stable Two‐Coordinate Copper(II) Complex

The synthesis of the first linear coordinated Cu^II complex Cu{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂ ( 1 Dipp=C₆H₅‐2,6Prⁱ₂) and its Cu^I counterpart [Cu{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂]^? ( 2 ) is described. The formation of 1 proceeds through a dispersion force‐driven disproportionation, and is the reaction product of a Cu^I halide and LiN(SiMe₃)Dipp in a non‐donor solvent. The synthesis of 2 is accomplished by preventing the disproportionation into 1 by using the complexing agent 15‐crown‐5. EPR spectroscopy of 1 provides the first detailed study of a two‐coordinate transition‐metal complex indicating strong covalency in the Cu?N bonds.     

Lateral Metallation and Redistribution Reactions of Sodium Ferrates Containing Bulky 2,6-Diisopropyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)anilide Ligands

Alkali-metal ferrates containing amide groups have emerged as regioselective bases capable of promoting Fe−H exchanges of aromatic substrates. Advancing this area of heterobimetallic chemistry, a new series of sodium ferrates is introduced incorporating the bulky arylsilyl amido ligand N(SiMe₃)(Dipp) (Dipp=2,6-iPr₂-C₆H₃). Influenced by the large steric demands imposed by this amide, transamination of [NaFe(HMDS)₃] (HMDS=N(SiMe₃)₂) with an excess of HN(SiMe₃)(Dipp) led to the isolation of heteroleptic [Na(HMDS)₂Fe{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}]_∞ ( 1 ) resulting from the exchange of just one HMDS group. An alternative co-complexation approach, combining the homometallic metal amides [NaN(SiMe₃)Dipp] and [Fe{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂] induces lateral metallation of one Me arm from the SiMe₃ group in the iron amide furnishing tetrameric [NaFe{N(SiCH₂Me₂)Dipp}{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}]₄ ( 2 ). Reactivity studies support that this deprotonation is driven by the steric incompatibility of the single metal amides rather than the basic capability of the sodium reagent. Displaying synergistic reactivity, heteroleptic sodium ferrate 1 can selectively promote ferration of pentafluorobenzene using one of its HMDS arms to give heterotrileptic [Na{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}(HMDS)Fe(C₆F₅)]_∞ ( 4 ). Attempts to deprotonate less activated pyridine led to the isolation of NaHMDS and heteroleptic Fe(II) amide [(py)Fe{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}(HMDS)] ( 5 ), resulting from an alternative redistribution process which is favoured by the Lewis donor ability of this substrate.     

Subvalente Galliumtriflate – mögliche Ausgangsverbindungen für Clusterverbindungen des Galliums

Subvalent Gallium Triflates – Potentially Useful Starting Materials for Gallium Cluster Compounds By reaction of GaCp* with trifluormethanesulfonic acid in hexane a mixture of gallium trifluormethanesulfonates (triflates, OTf) is obtained. This mixture reacts readily with lithiumsilanides [Li(thf)₃Si(SiMe₃)₂R] (R = Me, SiMe₃) to afford the cluster compounds [Ga₆{Si(SiMe₃)Me}₆], [Ga₂{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₄] and [Ga₁₀{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₆]. By crystallization from various solvents the gallium triflates [Ga(OTf)₃(thf)₃], [HGa(OTf)(thf)₄]⁺ [Ga(OTf)₄(thf)₃]⁻, [Cp*GaGa(OTf)₂]₂ and [Ga(toluene)₂]⁺ [Ga₅(OTf)₆(Cp*)₂]⁻ were isolated and characterized by single crystal X ray structure analysis.     

Crystalline Anions Based on Classical N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

Herein, the first stable anions K[SIPr^Bp] ( 4 a-K ) and K[IPr^Bp] ( 4 b-K ) (SIPr^Bp=BpC{N(Dipp)CH₂}₂, IPr^Bp=BpC{N(Dipp)CH}₂; Bp=4-PhC₆H₄; Dipp=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) derived from classical N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) (i.e. SIPr and IPr) have been isolated as violet crystalline solids. 4 a-K and 4 b-K are prepared by KC₈ reduction of the neutral radicals [SIPr^Bp] ( 3 a ) and [IPr^Bp] ( 3 b ), respectively. The radicals 3 a and 3 b as well as [Me-IPr^Bp] 3 c (Me-IPr^Bp=BpC{N(Dipp)CMe}₂) are accessible as crystalline solids on treatment of the respective 1,3-imidazoli(ni)um bromides (SIPr^Bp)Br ( 2 a ), (IPr^Bp)Br ( 2 b ), and (Me−IPr^Bp)Br ( 2 c ) with KC₈. The cyclic voltammograms of 2 a–2 c exhibit two one-electron reversible redox processes in −0.5 to −2.5 V region that correspond to the radicals 3 a–3 c and the anions ( 4 a–4 c )⁻. Computational calculations suggest a closed-shell singlet ground state for ( 4 a–4 c )⁻ with the singlet-triplet energy gap of 17–24 kcal mol⁻¹.     

Homoleptic Two‐Coordinate Silylamido Complexes of Chromium(I), Manganese(I), and Cobalt(I)

Anionic two‐coordinate complexes of first‐row transition‐metal(I) centres are rare molecules that are expected to reveal new magnetic properties and reactivity. Recently, we demonstrated that a N(SiMe₃)₂^? ligand set, which is unable to prevent dimerisation or extraneous ligand coordination at the +2 oxidation state of iron, was nonetheless able to stabilise anionic two‐coordinate Fe^I complexes even in the presence of a Lewis base. We now report analogous Cr^I and Co^I complexes with exclusively this amido ligand and the isolation of a [Mn^I{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]₂^2? dimer that features a Mn?Mn bond. Additionally, by increasing the steric hindrance of the ligand set, the two‐coordinate complex [Mn^I{N(Dipp)(SiMe₃)}₂]^? was isolated (Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃). Characterisation of these compounds by using X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements is provided along with ligand‐field analysis based on CASSCF/NEVPT2 ab initio calculations.     

[Al7{N(SiMe3)2}6]−: A First Step towards Aluminum Metal Formation by Disproportionation

A “naked” aluminum atom links two aluminum tetrahedra in the [Al₇{N(SiMe₃)₂}₆]⁻ ion (see picture), which results from the reaction of a metastable AlCl solution with LiN(SiMe₃)₂ and crystallizes with [Li(OEt₂)₃]⁺ as cation. This unique structure among molecular metal atom clusters represents a small but characteristic section of cubic close-packed aluminum.     

An N‐Heterocyclic Silylene‐Stabilized Digermanium(0) Complex

The synthesis of an N‐heterocyclic silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex is described. The reaction of the amidinate‐stabilized silicon(II) amide [LSiN(SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ; L=PhC(NtBu)₂) with GeCl₂?dioxane in toluene afforded the Si^II–Ge^II adduct [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→GeCl₂] ( 2 ). Reaction of the adduct with two equivalents of KC₈ in toluene at room temperature afforded the N‐heterocyclic carbene silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→ Ge?Ge←Si{N(SiMe₃)₂}L] ( 3 ). X‐ray crystallography and theoretical studies show conclusively that the N‐heterocyclic silylenes stabilize the singlet digermanium(0) moiety by a weak synergic donor–acceptor interaction.     

Synthesis and structure of metalloid aluminum clusters—intermediates on the way to the elements

Metastable Aluminum(I) halide solutions proved to have a high potential for the synthesis of novel subvalent Al compounds, such as Al_nX_m species (X=Cl, Br, I; n<m, average oxidation state of Al below +3 or n>m, average oxidation state of Al below +1) or Al_nR_m species (R=bulky ligand; n>m). There are two principal reaction types, which are essential for the formation of the compounds discussed herein. The disproportionation, which finally results in Al(III) halides and Al metal and the metathesis which leads to a substitution of X atoms against R groups. By this way the metalloid cluster compounds [Al₇{N(SiMe₃)₂}₆]⁻, [Al₁₂{N(SiMe₃)₂}₈]⁻, [Al₁₄I₆{N(SiMe₃)₂}₆]²⁻, [Al₆₉{N(SiMe₃)₂}₁₈]³⁻, and [Al₇₇{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂₀]²⁻ could be isolated. The characteristic feature of these metalloid Al clusters is the number of AlAl contacts being larger than the number of Alligand bonds, i.e. there are more ‘naked’ than ligand-bonded Al atoms. Furthermore, the topology of the closest packing in Al metal is already pre-formed in these compounds.     

Untersuchungen zu Reaktionen des Diphosphanylsilans iPr2Si(PH2)2 mit Erdalkalimetallsilazaniden

The reaction of iPr₂Si(PH₂)₂ ( 1 ) with [Ca{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂(THF)₂] at 25 °C in molar ratio 1:1 yields the compound [Ca₃{iPr₂Si(PH)₂}₃(THF)₆] ( 2 ). Compound 2 consists of two Ca₂P₃ trigonal bipyramids with one conjoint calcium corner and SiiPr₂ bridged phosphorus atoms. In contrast, the same reaction at 60 °C yield the complex [Ca({P(SiiPr₂)₂PH}₂(THF)₄] ( 3 ). The isotype strontium compound [Sr({P(SiiPr₂)₂PH}₂(THF)₄] ( 4 ) was obtained from the reaction of iPr₂Si(PH₂)₂ with [Sr{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂(DME)₂]. The Compounds 2 – 4 were characterised by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis as well as IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques.     

The Non-Ancillary Nature of Trimethylsilylamide Substituents in Boranes and Borinium Cations

The known boranes (R(Me₃Si)N)₂BF (R=Me₃Si 1 , tBu 2 , C₆F₅ 3 , o-tol 4 , Mes 5 , Dipp 6 ) and borinium salts (R(Me₃Si)N)₂B][B(C₆F₅)₄] (R=Me₃Si 7 , tBu 8 ) are prepared and fully characterized. Compound 7 is shown to react with phosphines to generate [R₃PSiMe₃]⁺ and [R₃PH]⁺ (R=Me, tBu). Efforts to generate related borinium cations via fluoride abstraction from (R(Me₃Si)N)₂BF (R=C₆F₅ 3 , o-tol 4 , Mes 5 ) gave complex mixtures suggesting multiple reaction pathways. However for R=Dipp 6 , the species [(μ-F)(SiMe₂N(Dipp))₂BMe][B(C₆F₅)₄] was isolated as the major product, indicating methyl abstraction from silicon and F/Me exchange on boron. These observations together with state-of-the-art DFT mechanistic studies reveal that the trimethylsilyl-substituents do not behave as ancillary subsitutents but rather act as sources of proton, SiMe₃ and methyl groups.     

Koordinativ ungesättigte Eisen-Chalkogenolat-Komplexe mit trigonalplanaren Ligandensphären – Synthese,Eigenschaften und Reaktionen mit Stickstoff- und Sauerstoff-Donormolekülen

Coordinatively Unsaturated Iron Chalcogenolate Complexes with Trigonal Planar Ligand Spheres – Synthesis, Properties, and Reactions with Nitrogen and Oxygen Donor Molecules The new bulky organo-selenium compound 2,4,6-triphenylbenzeneselenole ( 1 A ) was synthesized by a multistep-reaction from 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene. 1 A was converted by oxidation into the air-stable bis(2,4,6-triphenylphenyl)diselenide ( 1 B ), which was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The stepwise reaction of [Fe₂{N(SiMe₃)₂}₄] with 1 A leads to the complexes [Fe₂(SeC₆H₂-2,4,6-Ph₃)₂{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] ( 2 ) and [Fe₂(SeC₆H₂-2,4,6-Ph₃)₄] ( 3 ), controlled by their molar ratios. The conversion of 2 to 3 is also described. In addition, the coordinatively unsaturated thiolate complexes [Fe₂{SC₆H₃-2,6-(SiMe₃)₂}₂{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] ( 4 ) and [Fe₂{SC₆H₃-2,6-(SiMe₃)₂}₄] ( 5 ) were synthesized by stepwise reaction of [Fe₂{N(SiMe₃)₂}₄] with 2,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzenethiole. It is also possible to convert the heteroleptic compound 4 into the homoleptic thiolate complex 5 . During our investigations of the reactivity of 5 towards small electroneutral molecules, the compounds [Fe₂{SC₆H₃-2,6-(SiMe₃)₂}₄ · (MeCN)₂] ( 6 ) and [Fe{SC₆H₃-2,6-(SiMe₃)₂}₂(OPEt₃)] ( 7 ) were obtained. 6 is the product of the addition of two molecules of acetonitrile to 5 . The iron atoms of 6 are coordinated by three sulfur and one nitrogen atom in a distorted tetrahedral manner. When 5 is treated with triethylphosphine oxide instead of acetonitrile, the mononuclear complex 7 with the coordination number three is formed. The iron atom is surrounded by two sulfur and one oxygen donor functions.     

A Series of Low-Coordinate Iron Selenido Complexes: Reactivity of a Linear Iron(I) Silylamide towards Selenium

A variety of different low-coordinate iron selenide complexes is reported. These are obtained by reaction of the linear iron(I) silylamide K{18c6}[Fe(N(Dipp)SiMe₃)₂] (Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) with red selenium. Careful adjustment of the reaction conditions results in the formation of unique low-coordinate selenido iron complexes, namely a monoselenide bridged [2Fe−1Se]²⁺ complex, as well as mononuclear iron per- and triselenides. Further, C−H bond activation of one of the silylamide ligands by a putative terminal iron monoselenide is observed.     

One- and Two-Electron Transfer Oxidation of 1,4-Disilabenzene with Formation of Stable Radical Cations and Dications

Electron-transferable oxidants such as B(C₆F₅)₃/nBuLi, B(C₆F₅)₃/LiB(C₆F₅)₄, B(C₆F₅)₃/LiHBEt₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃/(o-RC₆H₄)AlH₂ (R=N(CMe₂CH₂)₂CH₂), B(C₆F₅)₃/AlEt₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃/nBuLi, Al(C₆F₅)₃/AlMe₃, (CuC₆F₅)₄, and Ag₂SO₄, respectively were employed for reactions with (L)₂Si₂C₄(SiMe₃)₂(C₂SiMe₃)₂ (L=PhC(NtBu)₂, 1 ). The stable radical cation [ 1 ]^+. was formed and paired with the anions [nBuB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 2 ), [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ (in 3 ), [HB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 4 ), [EtB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 5 ), {[(C₆F₅)₃Al]₂(μ-F)]⁻ (in 6 ), [nBuAl(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 7 ), and [Cu(C₆F₅)₂]⁻ (in 8 ), respectively. The stable dication [ 1 ]²⁺ was also generated with the anions [EtB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ ( 9 ) and [MeAl(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ ( 10 ), respectively. In addition, the neutral compound [(L)₂Si₂C₄(SiMe₃)₂(C₂SiMe₃)₂][μ-O₂S(O)₂] ( 11 ) was obtained. Compounds 2 – 11 are characterized by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and elemental analysis. Compounds 2 – 8 are analyzed by EPR spectroscopy and compounds 9 – 11 by NMR spectroscopy. The structure features are discussed on the central Si₂C₄-rings of 1 , [ 1 ]^+., [ 1 ]²⁺, and 11 , respectively.     

Samarium(II) Monoalkyl Complex Supported by a β-Diketiminato-Based Tetradentate Ligand: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Hydrosilylation of Internal Alkynes

The synthesis and catalytic applications of trivalent rare-earth metal alkyl complexes have been well developed, but the chemistry of divalent rare-earth metal alkyl complexes lagged much behind. Herein, we report the synthesis, structure, and catalytic applications of a samarium(II) monoalkyl complex supported by a β-diketiminato-based tetradentate ligand, [LSmCH(SiMe₃)₂] (L=[MeC(NDipp)CHC(Me)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]⁻, Dipp=2,6-(iPr)₂C₆H₃). This complex is synthesized by the salt metathesis reaction of samarium iodide [LSm(μ-I)]₂ and KCH(SiMe₃)₂ in 63 % yield. Its structure is characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing a distorted square-pyramid coordination geometry. This samarium(II) monoalkyl complex exhibits high catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation of aryl and methyl-substituted unsymmetrical internal alkynes with secondary hydrosilanes, selectively providing the α-(E) products in high yields.     

Trapping a Silicon(I) Radical with Carbenes: A Cationic cAAC–Silicon(I) Radical and an NHC–Parent-Silyliumylidene Cation

The trapping of a silicon(I) radical with N-heterocyclic carbenes is described. The reaction of the cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene [cAAC_Me] (cAAC_Me=:C(CMe₂)₂(CH₂)NAr, Ar=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) with H₂SiI₂ in a 3:1 molar ratio in DME afforded a mixture of the separated ion pair [(cAAC_Me)₂Si:^.]⁺I⁻ ( 1 ), which features a cationic cAAC–silicon(I) radical, and [cAAC_Me−H]⁺I⁻. In addition, the reaction of the NHC–iodosilicon(I) dimer [I_Ar(I)Si:]₂ (I_Ar=:C{N(Ar)CH}₂) with 4 equiv of I_Me (:C{N(Me)CMe}₂), which proceeded through the formation of a silicon(I) radical intermediate, afforded [(I_Me)₂SiH]⁺I⁻ ( 2 ) comprising the first NHC–parent-silyliumylidene cation. Its further reaction with fluorobenzene afforded the C_Ar−H bond activation product [1-F-2-I_Me-C₆H₄]⁺I⁻ ( 3 ). The isolation of 2 and 3 confirmed the reaction mechanism for the formation of 1 . Compounds 1 – 3 were analyzed by EPR and NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and X-ray crystallography.     

Probing Charge-Transfer Processes in a Covalently Linked [Ge9]-Cluster Imine Dyad

C₆₀ donor dyads in which the carbon cage is covalently linked to an electron-donating unit have been discussed as one possibility for an electron-transfer system, and it has been shown that spherical [Ge₉] cluster anions show a close relation to fullerenes with respect to their electronic structure. However, the optical properties of these clusters and of functionalized cluster derivatives are almost unknown. We now report on the synthesis of the intensely red [Ge₉] cluster linked to an extended π-electron system. [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂{CH₃C=N}-DAB(II)^Dipp]⁻ ( 1⁻ ) is formed upon the reaction of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂]²⁻ with bromo-diazaborole DAB(II)^Dipp-Br in CH₃CN (TMS=trimethylsilyl; DAB(II)=1,3,2-diazaborole with an unsaturated backbone; Dipp=2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl). Reversible protonation of the imine entity in 1⁻ yields the deep green, zwitterionic cluster [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂{CH₃C=N(H)}-DAB(II)^Dipp] ( 1-H ) and vice versa. Optical spectroscopy combined with time-dependent density functional theory suggests a charge-transfer excitation between the cluster and the antibonding π* orbital of the imine moiety as the cause of the intense coloration. An absorption maximum of 1-H in the red region of the electromagnetic spectrum and the corresponding lowest-energy excited state at λ=669 nm make the compound an interesting starting point for further investigations targeting the design of photo-active cluster compounds.     

Das Hexagallan [Ga6{SiMe(SiMe3)2}6] und das closo‐Hexagallanat [Ga6{Si(CMe3)3}4(CH2C6H5)2]2— — der Übergang zu einem ungewöhnlichen precloso‐Cluster

The Hexagallane [Ga₆{SiMe(SiMe₃)₂}₆] and the closo‐Hexagallanate [Ga₆{Si(CMe₃)₃}₄ (CH₂C₆H₅)₂]^2— — the Transition to an Unusual precloso‐Cluster The closo hexagallanate [Ga₆R₄(CH₂Ph)₂]^2— (R = Si^tBu₃) as well as the hexagallane Ga₆R₆ (R = SiMe(SiMe₃)₂) with only six cluster electron pairs were isolated from reactions of “GaI” with the corresponding silanides. The structure of the latter is derived from an octahedron by a Jahn‐Teller‐distortion and is different from the capped trigonal bipyramidal one expected by the Wade‐Mingos rules. Both compounds were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The bonding is discussed with simplified Ga₆H₆ and Ga₆H₆^2— models via DFT methods.