Different modes of aggregation in organoaluminium and -gallium hydroxylamides

The organoaluminium and -gallium hydroxylamides (Me2GaONMe2)2, (tBu2AlONMe2)2, (tBu2GaONMe2)2 and (Me2AlONiPr2)2 have been prepared by the reaction of the hydroxylamines Me2NOH and iPr2NOH with the trialkylmetal compounds trimethylgallium, tri-tbutylaluminium and tri-tbutylgallium, respectively. All compounds have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 15N, 17O and 27Al), by mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of the four compounds have been determined, showing that they all form dimers but with different modes of aggregation: (Me2GaONMe2)2 has a Ga2O2N2 six-membered ring, (tBu2AlONMe2)2 and (Me2AlONiPr2)2 have Al2O2 four-membered rings, (tBu2GaONMe2)2 forms a Ga2O2N five-membered ring.