| abstract |
Disclosed herein are methods of making compounds of the formula: (R) 3 M, where M is gallium, indium or thallium; and each R is independently C 1 -C 10 alkyl; the methods comprising: combining the metal, M, the trihalide of the metal, MX 3 , where X is I, Br or Cl; and a halomethane to form (R) 3 M 2 X 3 ; treating the (R) 3 M 2 X 3 with a reducing agent in a solvent to form (R) 3 M. |