Ligand Exchange and Alkyl Abstraction Involving (Perfluoroaryl)boranes and -alanes with Aluminum and Gallium Alkyls

Reaction between M(C6F5)3 (M = B, Al) and
AlR3 in hydrocarbons leads to facile aryl/alkyl group
exchange and formation of aluminum dimers, while
reaction of (perfluoroaryl)boranes B(C6F5)3 and B(C12F9)3
with AlR3 (R = Me, Et, octyl) or GaMe3 in ether solvents
produces alumocenium or gallocenium borates. Neutral
aluminum dimers and cationic alumocenium species
have been found to be very effective as catalyst activators
in ethylene/1-octene copolymerization.