The insertion of indium(I) halides into the MX bond of some main group organometallic halides

Abstract

Indium(I) halides (InX) react with Ph 3SnX (X = Cl, Br, I) in toluene/tmed mixtures to give Ph 3SnInX 2·tmed compounds (tmed = N, N, N′, N′-tetramethylethanediamine), and Ph 3Sn(OAc) yields Ph 3SnIn(OAc)X 2·tmed. Vibrational spectra and conductivities of these compounds, and of the salt Et 4N[Ph 3SnInCl 3], show that these are the first examples of SnIn bonded molecules. With Me 3SnCl, Ph 3SnH, Ph 3GeCl, Ph 3PbCl and Ph 2PCl, no oxidative addition reaction was observed. The results are compatible with previous discussions of the mechanism of such reactions, based on the insertion of indium into the MX bond.