Lithium tetrahydridogallate

Lithium tetrahydridogallate, which was first prepared by Finholt, Bond, and Schlesinger,1 is a very useful starting material for the preparation of gallium hydride derivatives.2-3 The present synthesis is based on an adaptation of the original preparation.1-4 Since gallium-hydrogen bonds are susceptible to hydrolysis, it is necessary to perform the preparation in the absence of air. The procedure described is based on the use of Schlenk-type inert-atmosphere techniques. 

Lithium tetrahydridogallate(l —) is a moisture-sentitive solid similar in many respects to lithium tetrahydridoaluminate(l —). It reacts with protic solvents, but is soluble without reaction in a variety of ethers. The solid decomposes slowly at room temperature, but may be stored with decomposition at — 78° under an inert atmosphere or in vacuum. Ether solutions are stable for at least several days. A variety of gallium hydride derivatives may be prepared from Li[GaH4], including (CH3)3N GaH3.1,2,6 Infrared and Raman data have been reported for [GaH4]-.7... 

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