Synthesis and Structure of the First Dinuclear Complex Bridged by a Substituent-Free Gallium Atom

The first dinuclear complex bridged by a substituent-free gallium atom, Cp*Fe(dppe)(μ-Ga)Fe(CO)4 (1; Cp* = η-C5Me5, dppe = Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2), was synthesized by the reaction of Cp*Fe(dppe)GaCl2 with K2[Fe(CO)4]. A crystal structure analysis of complex 1 revealed that the geometry around the gallium atom is essentially linear and the Fe−Ga bonds are significantly shorter than that of usual single bonds. These structural features indicate that the Fe−Ga bonds bear significantly unsaturated character.