Supporting information
Crystallographic Information File (CIF) https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600536811042668/fj2456sup1.cif | |
Structure factor file (CIF format) https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600536811042668/fj2456Isup2.hkl |
CCDC reference: 852046
Key indicators
- Single-crystal X-ray study
- T = 198 K
- Mean (C-C) = 0.005 Å
- R factor = 0.031
- wR factor = 0.078
- Data-to-parameter ratio = 21.2
checkCIF/PLATON results
No syntax errors found
Alert level C PLAT250_ALERT_2_C Large U3/U1 Ratio for Average U(i,j) Tensor .... 2.2 PLAT912_ALERT_4_C Missing # of FCF Reflections Above STh/L= 0.600 138
Alert level G PLAT005_ALERT_5_G No _iucr_refine_instructions_details in CIF .... ? PLAT380_ALERT_4_G Check Incorrectly? Oriented X(sp2)-Methyl Moiety C16
0 ALERT level A = Most likely a serious problem - resolve or explain 0 ALERT level B = A potentially serious problem, consider carefully 2 ALERT level C = Check. Ensure it is not caused by an omission or oversight 2 ALERT level G = General information/check it is not something unexpected 0 ALERT type 1 CIF construction/syntax error, inconsistent or missing data 1 ALERT type 2 Indicator that the structure model may be wrong or deficient 0 ALERT type 3 Indicator that the structure quality may be low 2 ALERT type 4 Improvement, methodology, query or suggestion 1 ALERT type 5 Informative message, check
Preparation of [(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)2InPEt2]2 (I). Trismesityl indium (0.520 g, 1.10 mmol) was added to a solution of diethyl phosphine (0.100 g, 1.10 mmol) in toluene (7.5 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 45°C for 72 h, after which time a white precipitate had formed. The precipitate was removed by filtration, dried in vacuo, and washed with toluene (2 × 5 ml) and hexane (3 ml) (yield 0.110 g, 22%). Mp: 188°C. Crystals of I were obtained by dissolving the product in dichloromethane and allowing the solution to sit at 23°C for 12 h.
Data collection: SMART (Bruker, 1999); cell refinement: SMART (Bruker, 1999); data reduction: SAINT (Bruker, 2006); program(s) used to solve structure: SHELXS97 (Sheldrick, 2008b); program(s) used to refine structure: SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008b); molecular graphics: DIAMOND (Brandenburg, 2011); software used to prepare material for publication: SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008b).
[In2(C9H11)4(C4H10P)2] | F(000) = 1824 |
Mr = 884.53 | Dx = 1.377 Mg m−3 |
Monoclinic, C2/c | Mo Kα radiation, λ = 0.71073 Å |
Hall symbol: -C 2yc | Cell parameters from 6933 reflections |
a = 22.323 (4) Å | θ = 2.7–28.1° |
b = 15.494 (4) Å | µ = 1.18 mm−1 |
c = 14.331 (3) Å | T = 198 K |
β = 120.618 (4)° | Plate, colourless |
V = 4265.6 (17) Å3 | 0.23 × 0.20 × 0.01 mm |
Z = 4 |
Bruker SMART1000/P4 diffractometer | 4771 independent reflections |
Radiation source: fine-focus sealed tube, K760 | 3470 reflections with I > 2σ(I) |
Graphite monochromator | Rint = 0.038 |
ϕ and ω scans | θmax = 27.5°, θmin = 1.7° |
Absorption correction: multi-scan (SADABS; Sheldrick, 2008a) | h = −28→27 |
Tmin = 0.777, Tmax = 0.988 | k = −19→19 |
14538 measured reflections | l = −18→18 |
Refinement on F2 | Primary atom site location: structure-invariant direct methods |
Least-squares matrix: full | Secondary atom site location: difference Fourier map |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.031 | Hydrogen site location: inferred from neighbouring sites |
wR(F2) = 0.078 | H-atom parameters constrained |
S = 1.09 | w = 1/[σ2(Fo2) + (0.0318P)2 + 1.4614P] where P = (Fo2 + 2Fc2)/3 |
4771 reflections | (Δ/σ)max = 0.001 |
225 parameters | Δρmax = 0.65 e Å−3 |
0 restraints | Δρmin = −0.34 e Å−3 |
[In2(C9H11)4(C4H10P)2] | V = 4265.6 (17) Å3 |
Mr = 884.53 | Z = 4 |
Monoclinic, C2/c | Mo Kα radiation |
a = 22.323 (4) Å | µ = 1.18 mm−1 |
b = 15.494 (4) Å | T = 198 K |
c = 14.331 (3) Å | 0.23 × 0.20 × 0.01 mm |
β = 120.618 (4)° |
Bruker SMART1000/P4 diffractometer | 4771 independent reflections |
Absorption correction: multi-scan (SADABS; Sheldrick, 2008a) | 3470 reflections with I > 2σ(I) |
Tmin = 0.777, Tmax = 0.988 | Rint = 0.038 |
14538 measured reflections |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.031 | 0 restraints |
wR(F2) = 0.078 | H-atom parameters constrained |
S = 1.09 | Δρmax = 0.65 e Å−3 |
4771 reflections | Δρmin = −0.34 e Å−3 |
225 parameters |
Experimental. Crystal decay was monitored by repeating the initial 50 frames at the end of the data collection and analyzing duplicate reflections NMR data (p.p.m., CDCl3): 1H NMR, 0.88 (m, 6H, PCH2CH3), 1.83 (q, 3J(1H-1H) = 7 Hz, 4H, PCH2CH3), 2.24 (s, 6H, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), 2.33 (s, 12H, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), 6.78 (s, 4H, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2); 13C{1H}11.7 (PCH2CH3), 13.8 (PCH2CH3), 21.3 (s, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), 27.7 (s, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), 126.8 (s, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), 136.6 (s, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), 144.1 (s, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2); 31P NMR, δ -44.63 (s). FT—IR: 538m, 607vw, 673w, 708w, 752w, 800w, 845m, 976w, 1030w, 1042w, 1090w, 1149vw, 1244w, 1259w, 1288w, 1402w, 1547w, 1595vw, 1712vw. |
Geometry. All e.s.d.'s (except the e.s.d. in the dihedral angle between two l.s. planes) are estimated using the full covariance matrix. The cell e.s.d.'s are taken into account individually in the estimation of e.s.d.'s in distances, angles and torsion angles; correlations between e.s.d.'s in cell parameters are only used when they are defined by crystal symmetry. An approximate (isotropic) treatment of cell e.s.d.'s is used for estimating e.s.d.'s involving l.s. planes. |
Refinement. Refinement of F2 against ALL reflections. The weighted R-factor wR and goodness of fit S are based on F2, conventional R-factors R are based on F, with F set to zero for negative F2. The threshold expression of F2 > σ(F2) is used only for calculating R-factors(gt) etc. and is not relevant to the choice of reflections for refinement. R-factors based on F2 are statistically about twice as large as those based on F, and R-factors based on ALL data will be even larger. |
x | y | z | Uiso*/Ueq | ||
In1 | 0.231901 (11) | 0.163644 (15) | 0.585903 (16) | 0.03479 (8) | |
P1 | 0.21902 (4) | 0.33051 (6) | 0.54684 (6) | 0.03532 (19) | |
C1 | 0.14507 (16) | 0.0724 (2) | 0.5087 (2) | 0.0355 (7) | |
C2 | 0.07490 (17) | 0.0952 (2) | 0.4400 (2) | 0.0430 (8) | |
C3 | 0.02405 (18) | 0.0319 (3) | 0.3942 (3) | 0.0504 (9) | |
H3 | −0.0230 | 0.0488 | 0.3476 | 0.061* | |
C4 | 0.03963 (19) | −0.0550 (3) | 0.4142 (3) | 0.0512 (10) | |
C5 | 0.10908 (19) | −0.0781 (2) | 0.4811 (3) | 0.0466 (9) | |
H5 | 0.1210 | −0.1375 | 0.4954 | 0.056* | |
C6 | 0.16177 (17) | −0.0161 (2) | 0.5276 (2) | 0.0381 (8) | |
C7 | 0.0530 (2) | 0.1886 (3) | 0.4137 (3) | 0.0607 (11) | |
H7A | 0.0020 | 0.1922 | 0.3735 | 0.091* | |
H7B | 0.0710 | 0.2124 | 0.3695 | 0.091* | |
H7C | 0.0716 | 0.2216 | 0.4812 | 0.091* | |
C8 | −0.0172 (2) | −0.1223 (3) | 0.3645 (4) | 0.0719 (13) | |
H8A | −0.0539 | −0.1079 | 0.3803 | 0.108* | |
H8B | 0.0023 | −0.1790 | 0.3951 | 0.108* | |
H8C | −0.0369 | −0.1236 | 0.2858 | 0.108* | |
C9 | 0.23652 (17) | −0.0451 (2) | 0.5954 (3) | 0.0464 (8) | |
H9A | 0.2378 | −0.1068 | 0.6114 | 0.070* | |
H9B | 0.2595 | −0.0124 | 0.6634 | 0.070* | |
H9C | 0.2607 | −0.0350 | 0.5553 | 0.070* | |
C10 | 0.30035 (17) | 0.1564 (2) | 0.7643 (2) | 0.0394 (8) | |
C11 | 0.37154 (17) | 0.1357 (2) | 0.8185 (2) | 0.0427 (8) | |
C12 | 0.41094 (19) | 0.1333 (2) | 0.9321 (3) | 0.0512 (9) | |
H12 | 0.4590 | 0.1193 | 0.9670 | 0.061* | |
C13 | 0.3812 (2) | 0.1508 (2) | 0.9945 (3) | 0.0541 (10) | |
C14 | 0.3113 (2) | 0.1726 (2) | 0.9417 (3) | 0.0520 (10) | |
H14 | 0.2903 | 0.1858 | 0.9834 | 0.062* | |
C15 | 0.27101 (18) | 0.1755 (2) | 0.8287 (3) | 0.0437 (8) | |
C16 | 0.40779 (19) | 0.1146 (3) | 0.7567 (3) | 0.0576 (10) | |
H16A | 0.3855 | 0.0644 | 0.7102 | 0.086* | |
H16B | 0.4569 | 0.1016 | 0.8080 | 0.086* | |
H16C | 0.4046 | 0.1642 | 0.7119 | 0.086* | |
C17 | 0.4242 (2) | 0.1459 (3) | 1.1178 (3) | 0.0770 (14) | |
H17A | 0.4729 | 0.1341 | 1.1407 | 0.115* | |
H17B | 0.4062 | 0.0994 | 1.1433 | 0.115* | |
H17C | 0.4210 | 0.2009 | 1.1488 | 0.115* | |
C18 | 0.19456 (18) | 0.1971 (3) | 0.7786 (3) | 0.0541 (10) | |
H18A | 0.1883 | 0.2598 | 0.7698 | 0.081* | |
H18B | 0.1779 | 0.1764 | 0.8260 | 0.081* | |
H18C | 0.1680 | 0.1692 | 0.7076 | 0.081* | |
C19 | 0.29184 (17) | 0.3701 (2) | 0.6794 (2) | 0.0414 (8) | |
H19A | 0.2829 | 0.3512 | 0.7371 | 0.050* | |
H19B | 0.3352 | 0.3416 | 0.6930 | 0.050* | |
C20 | 0.30422 (19) | 0.4667 (2) | 0.6901 (3) | 0.0496 (9) | |
H20A | 0.3211 | 0.4852 | 0.6421 | 0.074* | |
H20B | 0.3390 | 0.4808 | 0.7653 | 0.074* | |
H20C | 0.2605 | 0.4965 | 0.6698 | 0.074* | |
C21 | 0.14350 (17) | 0.3982 (2) | 0.5211 (3) | 0.0441 (8) | |
H21A | 0.1544 | 0.4590 | 0.5144 | 0.053* | |
H21B | 0.1031 | 0.3809 | 0.4505 | 0.053* | |
C22 | 0.12205 (18) | 0.3937 (3) | 0.6068 (3) | 0.0527 (9) | |
H22A | 0.1039 | 0.3360 | 0.6063 | 0.079* | |
H22B | 0.0859 | 0.4369 | 0.5905 | 0.079* | |
H22C | 0.1626 | 0.4053 | 0.6785 | 0.079* |
U11 | U22 | U33 | U12 | U13 | U23 | |
In1 | 0.02880 (13) | 0.04999 (15) | 0.01987 (11) | −0.01078 (11) | 0.00826 (9) | 0.00045 (10) |
P1 | 0.0310 (4) | 0.0489 (5) | 0.0237 (4) | −0.0081 (4) | 0.0122 (3) | −0.0014 (4) |
C1 | 0.0328 (17) | 0.053 (2) | 0.0194 (14) | −0.0126 (15) | 0.0121 (13) | −0.0020 (14) |
C2 | 0.0355 (19) | 0.059 (2) | 0.0300 (17) | −0.0130 (17) | 0.0137 (15) | −0.0048 (16) |
C3 | 0.0330 (19) | 0.070 (3) | 0.043 (2) | −0.0120 (18) | 0.0159 (16) | −0.0112 (18) |
C4 | 0.042 (2) | 0.071 (3) | 0.046 (2) | −0.026 (2) | 0.0267 (18) | −0.0234 (19) |
C5 | 0.057 (2) | 0.050 (2) | 0.045 (2) | −0.0126 (18) | 0.0349 (19) | −0.0124 (16) |
C6 | 0.0377 (18) | 0.054 (2) | 0.0261 (15) | −0.0101 (16) | 0.0188 (14) | −0.0049 (14) |
C7 | 0.038 (2) | 0.068 (3) | 0.052 (2) | −0.0092 (19) | 0.0052 (18) | 0.0079 (19) |
C8 | 0.061 (3) | 0.085 (3) | 0.077 (3) | −0.038 (2) | 0.040 (2) | −0.035 (3) |
C9 | 0.045 (2) | 0.053 (2) | 0.0365 (19) | −0.0034 (18) | 0.0176 (17) | 0.0005 (16) |
C10 | 0.0374 (18) | 0.050 (2) | 0.0220 (15) | −0.0155 (16) | 0.0089 (13) | 0.0015 (14) |
C11 | 0.0372 (19) | 0.057 (2) | 0.0255 (16) | −0.0129 (16) | 0.0098 (14) | 0.0013 (14) |
C12 | 0.038 (2) | 0.068 (2) | 0.0303 (18) | −0.0126 (18) | 0.0045 (15) | 0.0032 (16) |
C13 | 0.056 (2) | 0.069 (3) | 0.0236 (17) | −0.021 (2) | 0.0109 (16) | 0.0005 (16) |
C14 | 0.053 (2) | 0.072 (3) | 0.0273 (17) | −0.018 (2) | 0.0175 (16) | −0.0053 (17) |
C15 | 0.0394 (19) | 0.058 (2) | 0.0277 (16) | −0.0146 (17) | 0.0128 (14) | 0.0006 (15) |
C16 | 0.040 (2) | 0.091 (3) | 0.0348 (19) | −0.004 (2) | 0.0141 (17) | 0.002 (2) |
C17 | 0.072 (3) | 0.112 (4) | 0.0230 (18) | −0.021 (3) | 0.0070 (18) | 0.002 (2) |
C18 | 0.044 (2) | 0.080 (3) | 0.039 (2) | −0.007 (2) | 0.0216 (18) | 0.0019 (18) |
C19 | 0.0381 (19) | 0.058 (2) | 0.0238 (16) | −0.0072 (16) | 0.0126 (14) | −0.0021 (14) |
C20 | 0.055 (2) | 0.060 (2) | 0.0350 (19) | −0.0194 (19) | 0.0234 (17) | −0.0112 (16) |
C21 | 0.0364 (19) | 0.057 (2) | 0.0365 (18) | −0.0003 (17) | 0.0165 (15) | 0.0003 (16) |
C22 | 0.041 (2) | 0.078 (3) | 0.0373 (19) | −0.004 (2) | 0.0193 (17) | −0.0078 (18) |
In1—C1 | 2.190 (3) | C11—C16 | 1.509 (5) |
In1—C10 | 2.215 (3) | C12—C13 | 1.385 (5) |
In1—P1 | 2.6300 (12) | C12—H12 | 0.9500 |
In1—P1i | 2.6364 (9) | C13—C14 | 1.386 (5) |
P1—C21 | 1.856 (3) | C13—C17 | 1.524 (5) |
P1—C19 | 1.866 (3) | C14—C15 | 1.397 (4) |
P1—In1i | 2.6364 (9) | C14—H14 | 0.9500 |
C1—C2 | 1.406 (4) | C15—C18 | 1.514 (5) |
C1—C6 | 1.409 (5) | C16—H16A | 0.9800 |
C2—C3 | 1.386 (5) | C16—H16B | 0.9800 |
C2—C7 | 1.512 (5) | C16—H16C | 0.9800 |
C3—C4 | 1.384 (5) | C17—H17A | 0.9800 |
C3—H3 | 0.9500 | C17—H17B | 0.9800 |
C4—C5 | 1.392 (5) | C17—H17C | 0.9800 |
C4—C8 | 1.511 (5) | C18—H18A | 0.9800 |
C5—C6 | 1.398 (4) | C18—H18B | 0.9800 |
C5—H5 | 0.9500 | C18—H18C | 0.9800 |
C6—C9 | 1.510 (4) | C19—C20 | 1.515 (5) |
C7—H7A | 0.9800 | C19—H19A | 0.9900 |
C7—H7B | 0.9800 | C19—H19B | 0.9900 |
C7—H7C | 0.9800 | C20—H20A | 0.9800 |
C8—H8A | 0.9800 | C20—H20B | 0.9800 |
C8—H8B | 0.9800 | C20—H20C | 0.9800 |
C8—H8C | 0.9800 | C21—C22 | 1.530 (4) |
C9—H9A | 0.9800 | C21—H21A | 0.9900 |
C9—H9B | 0.9800 | C21—H21B | 0.9900 |
C9—H9C | 0.9800 | C22—H22A | 0.9800 |
C10—C11 | 1.405 (5) | C22—H22B | 0.9800 |
C10—C15 | 1.408 (5) | C22—H22C | 0.9800 |
C11—C12 | 1.402 (4) | ||
C1—In1—C10 | 117.60 (11) | C13—C12—C11 | 121.4 (3) |
C1—In1—P1 | 123.68 (9) | C13—C12—H12 | 119.3 |
C10—In1—P1 | 103.40 (9) | C11—C12—H12 | 119.3 |
C1—In1—P1i | 104.11 (7) | C12—C13—C14 | 118.2 (3) |
C10—In1—P1i | 122.61 (9) | C12—C13—C17 | 120.9 (4) |
P1—In1—P1i | 81.56 (3) | C14—C13—C17 | 120.9 (4) |
C21—P1—C19 | 104.40 (16) | C13—C14—C15 | 121.4 (3) |
C21—P1—In1 | 125.97 (11) | C13—C14—H14 | 119.3 |
C19—P1—In1 | 99.36 (11) | C15—C14—H14 | 119.3 |
C21—P1—In1i | 120.44 (11) | C14—C15—C10 | 120.9 (3) |
C19—P1—In1i | 104.85 (10) | C14—C15—C18 | 117.5 (3) |
In1—P1—In1i | 98.44 (3) | C10—C15—C18 | 121.6 (3) |
C2—C1—C6 | 118.1 (3) | C11—C16—H16A | 109.5 |
C2—C1—In1 | 125.1 (2) | C11—C16—H16B | 109.5 |
C6—C1—In1 | 116.8 (2) | H16A—C16—H16B | 109.5 |
C3—C2—C1 | 120.3 (3) | C11—C16—H16C | 109.5 |
C3—C2—C7 | 118.4 (3) | H16A—C16—H16C | 109.5 |
C1—C2—C7 | 121.3 (3) | H16B—C16—H16C | 109.5 |
C4—C3—C2 | 122.1 (3) | C13—C17—H17A | 109.5 |
C4—C3—H3 | 119.0 | C13—C17—H17B | 109.5 |
C2—C3—H3 | 119.0 | H17A—C17—H17B | 109.5 |
C3—C4—C5 | 117.9 (3) | C13—C17—H17C | 109.5 |
C3—C4—C8 | 120.8 (4) | H17A—C17—H17C | 109.5 |
C5—C4—C8 | 121.3 (4) | H17B—C17—H17C | 109.5 |
C4—C5—C6 | 121.5 (3) | C15—C18—H18A | 109.5 |
C4—C5—H5 | 119.3 | C15—C18—H18B | 109.5 |
C6—C5—H5 | 119.3 | H18A—C18—H18B | 109.5 |
C5—C6—C1 | 120.1 (3) | C15—C18—H18C | 109.5 |
C5—C6—C9 | 119.1 (3) | H18A—C18—H18C | 109.5 |
C1—C6—C9 | 120.8 (3) | H18B—C18—H18C | 109.5 |
C2—C7—H7A | 109.5 | C20—C19—P1 | 116.6 (2) |
C2—C7—H7B | 109.5 | C20—C19—H19A | 108.1 |
H7A—C7—H7B | 109.5 | P1—C19—H19A | 108.1 |
C2—C7—H7C | 109.5 | C20—C19—H19B | 108.1 |
H7A—C7—H7C | 109.5 | P1—C19—H19B | 108.1 |
H7B—C7—H7C | 109.5 | H19A—C19—H19B | 107.3 |
C4—C8—H8A | 109.5 | C19—C20—H20A | 109.5 |
C4—C8—H8B | 109.5 | C19—C20—H20B | 109.5 |
H8A—C8—H8B | 109.5 | H20A—C20—H20B | 109.5 |
C4—C8—H8C | 109.5 | C19—C20—H20C | 109.5 |
H8A—C8—H8C | 109.5 | H20A—C20—H20C | 109.5 |
H8B—C8—H8C | 109.5 | H20B—C20—H20C | 109.5 |
C6—C9—H9A | 109.5 | C22—C21—P1 | 116.1 (2) |
C6—C9—H9B | 109.5 | C22—C21—H21A | 108.3 |
H9A—C9—H9B | 109.5 | P1—C21—H21A | 108.3 |
C6—C9—H9C | 109.5 | C22—C21—H21B | 108.3 |
H9A—C9—H9C | 109.5 | P1—C21—H21B | 108.3 |
H9B—C9—H9C | 109.5 | H21A—C21—H21B | 107.4 |
C11—C10—C15 | 117.3 (3) | C21—C22—H22A | 109.5 |
C11—C10—In1 | 124.8 (2) | C21—C22—H22B | 109.5 |
C15—C10—In1 | 117.9 (2) | H22A—C22—H22B | 109.5 |
C12—C11—C10 | 120.8 (3) | C21—C22—H22C | 109.5 |
C12—C11—C16 | 118.0 (3) | H22A—C22—H22C | 109.5 |
C10—C11—C16 | 121.2 (3) | H22B—C22—H22C | 109.5 |
Symmetry code: (i) −x+1/2, −y+1/2, −z+1. |
Experimental details
Crystal data | |
Chemical formula | [In2(C9H11)4(C4H10P)2] |
Mr | 884.53 |
Crystal system, space group | Monoclinic, C2/c |
Temperature (K) | 198 |
a, b, c (Å) | 22.323 (4), 15.494 (4), 14.331 (3) |
β (°) | 120.618 (4) |
V (Å3) | 4265.6 (17) |
Z | 4 |
Radiation type | Mo Kα |
µ (mm−1) | 1.18 |
Crystal size (mm) | 0.23 × 0.20 × 0.01 |
Data collection | |
Diffractometer | Bruker SMART1000/P4 diffractometer |
Absorption correction | Multi-scan (SADABS; Sheldrick, 2008a) |
Tmin, Tmax | 0.777, 0.988 |
No. of measured, independent and observed [I > 2σ(I)] reflections | 14538, 4771, 3470 |
Rint | 0.038 |
(sin θ/λ)max (Å−1) | 0.650 |
Refinement | |
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)], wR(F2), S | 0.031, 0.078, 1.09 |
No. of reflections | 4771 |
No. of parameters | 225 |
H-atom treatment | H-atom parameters constrained |
Δρmax, Δρmin (e Å−3) | 0.65, −0.34 |
Computer programs: SMART (Bruker, 1999), SAINT (Bruker, 2006), SHELXS97 (Sheldrick, 2008b), SHELXL97 (Sheldrick, 2008b), DIAMOND (Brandenburg, 2011), SHELXTL (Sheldrick, 2008b).
Phosphanylindanes [R2InPR'2]n form dimeric or trimeric structures in the solid state via intermolecular In—P coordinate bonding interactions (Beachley et al., 2001; Werner & Neumuller 1996). Dimeric structures feature distorted tetrahedral geometries at indium and phosphorus, and planar four-membered In2P2 ring cores. In—P bond distances within the ring are similar and differ by less than 0.05 Å in all reported structures (Wells et al., 1993). The structure of I (Fig. 1) shows a dimer in the solid state, with a characteristic In2P2 core and distorted tetrahedral geometries at the four coordinate indium and phosphorus centres. The In—P bond distances are similar [In—P = 2.6300 (12) Å, In—Pi = 2.6364 (9) Å] and are in the range for previously reported dimeric phosphanylindanes [2.612 (1)–2.712 (1) Å] (Wells et al., 1993; Beachley et al., 1993). However, the ring P—In—Pi bond angle [81.56 (3)°] is at the lower limit of the range of reported values for [R2InPR'2]2 structures [81.80 (7)–87.53 (3)°] (Beachley et al., 1987; von Hanisch, 2001), and the In—P—Ini bond angle [98.44 (3)°] is at the upper limit of reported values [92.47 (3)–98.20 (7)°] (von Hanisch, 2001; Beachley et al., 1987). The significant distortion of the In2P2 ring is likely a result of the bulky mesityl groups on indium, which affect a compression of the P—In—Pi bond angles. Conversely, the non-bulky ethyl groups on phosphorus allows for expansion of the In—P—Ini bond angles.