Group 13 alkyl compounds incorporating aliphatic and aromatic diolate ligands

This contribution deals with the synthesis, properties, and possible applications of complexes of aliphatic and aromatic diols with trialkylaluminum, -gallium, and -indium. The influence of steric hindrances of diolate units, the bulkiness of alkyl groups bonded to metal atoms, and the electron-withdrawing effects of ligands on the reaction courses and the structure of the products are shown and discussed. Reactions of binuclear metallane diolates, {tBu4M2[diol-(H)]2} (M = Al, Ga), with group 13 metallanes and transition metal chlorides are presented as a route to mixed-ligand and mixed-metal complexes. Replacement of tBu2M with Me2M units (transmetallation reaction) is presented as another method of mixed-complex synthesis.