Structural diversity ranging from cyclic trimeric, tetrameric, hexameric to 1-D helix in dimethylgallium hydroxide

•Several oligomeric forms of [Me2GaOH]n have been isolated for the first time.•Structures ranging from cyclic to open chain have been obtained.•[Me2GaOH]∞ shows unique helical (α and β) skeletons.•Polymorphism in dimethylgallium hydroxide is reported.•Experimental data are in conformity with DFT calculations.

Structural diversity in dimethylgallium hydroxide noted on recrystallization from different solvents has been investigated by single crystal structural analysis. The conformation of the cyclic structures (tri- and tetra-nuclear) remains unchanged irrespective of the solvents used (benzene, hexane, hexane–dioxane mixtures) for crystallization. Higher nuclearity structures show intra-molecular hydrogen bonding in addition to inter-molecular hydrogen bonding. DFT calculations reveal that stability increases with the degree of oligomerization.

Graphical abstractOligomeric and polymorphic forms of dimethylgallium hydroxide ranging from cyclic trimeric, tetrameric, hexameric to a linear polymeric helix have been isolated and discussed. DFT suggest that solvent mixtures used is the driving force for the formation of different oligomers.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide