A homoleptic rare-earth-metal tetramethylindate

Abstract

The homoleptic complex La(InMe₄)₃ is obtained from the respective aluminium congener La(AlMe₄)₃via a donor-assisted tetramethylaluminate/tetramethylindate exchange protocol. Compound La(InMe₄)₃ exhibits interesting thermal lability as well as distinct cluster formation like La₄In₇(C)(CH)₂(CH₂)₂(CH₃)₁₉ and La₅In₉(CH)₆(CH₃)₂₄ upon addition of an excess of donor or thermal treatment. The neutral potentially tridentate ligand Me₃TACN (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) is used to investigate donor-triggered intermediates. Compound La(InMe₄)₃ is the first crystallographically characterized homoleptic rare-earth-metal tetramethylindate and may readily be used as a precursor for follow-up chemistry distinct from La(AlMe₄)₃ and La(GaMe₄)₃.