The metallated trihalogallate and indate ions [(η5-C 5R5)Fe(CO)2E(X)2X1']- (1: R = Me, E = In, X = X' = I; 2: R = H, E = Ga, X = I, X' = Br) isolated as the [(η5-C5Me5)Fe(η6-C 6H5Me)]+ and [Et3NH]+ salts, respectively, each features a staggered conformation about the Fe-E bond [Z centroid-Fe-E-X' = 178.9(3) (for 1) and 176.6(10)° (for 2)]. 1 represents the first crystallographically characterized half-sandwich iron complex containing a pendant trihaloindate fragment.
