Organogallium chemistry

Despite their high toxicity [citation needed], organogallium compounds have some use in organic synthesis.

The main gallium oxidation state is Ga(III), as in all lower group 13 elements (such as aluminium).

Lewis acidity decreases in the order Al > Ga > In and as a result organogallium compounds do not form bridged dimers as organoaluminum compounds do.

[5] Organogallium compounds can be synthesized by transmetallation, for example the reaction of gallium metal with dimethylmercury: or via organolithium compounds or Grignards: The electron-deficient nature of gallium can be removed by complex formation, for example Pi complex formation with alkynes is also known.

Organogallium compounds are reagents or intermediates in several classes of organic reactions: