Structures and thermal decomposition of complexes of E(C6F5)3 (E = Al, Ga, In) with pyridine

Abstract Complexes of group 13 element perfluorinated derivatives E(C6F5)3 (E = Al, Ga, In) with pyridine (Py) were synthesized and structurally characterized for the first time. Volatility and thermal stability of complexes was studied using mass-spectrometry, tenzimetry, TGA, and drop-calorimetry methods. Heating of complexes results in elimination of pentafluorobenzene, indicating E-C bond rupture. Thermodynamic characteristics of gaseous complexes and transition states for C6F4, HF and C6F5H elimination were obtained using quantum chemical methods. Possible mechanisms for the thermal decomposition of complexes are proposed on the basis of experimental and computational data.