Methyl or ethyl makes the difference: Synthesis and solid-state structure of 9,10-dialkyl-9,10-dihydro-9,10-digallaanthracenes

Remarkable differences in the solid-state structure of 9,10-dialkyl-9,10-dihydro-9,10-digallaanthracenes (alkyl: methyl or ethyl) are described. A novel bonding situation with two symmetrical aryl group bridges between two gallium atoms is present in the ethyl-substituted digallaanthracene.