Reaction of tris-arylgallium(iii) with water: biaryl coupling versus Ga–C hydrolysis

Abstract

Reaction of toluene solutions of tris(aryl)gallium(III) compounds with water results in intra-molecular biaryl coupling (70% yield) and an oligomeric organogallium(III) hydroxide/oxide [Ga₁₂O₁₄H₄(aryl)₁₂], whereas reaction in THF with water leads to hydrolysis, formation of arylH, and for aryl = Ph the trimeric THF hydrogen bonded trimer, [Ph₂Ga(μ-OH)]₃·3THF.