New heterobimetallic and polymeric selenocarboxylates derived from [M(SeC{O}Ph)4]- (M = Ga and In) as molecular precursors for ternary selenides.

(Et3NH)[In(SeC{O}Ph)4].H2O (1) along with heterobimetallic and polymeric metal selenocarboxylates, namely [NaGa(SeC{O}Ph)4] (2), [K(MeCN)2Ga(SeC{O}Ph)4] (3), [NaIn(SeC{O}Ph)4] (4), [K(MeCN)2In(SeC{O}Ph)4] (5), [(Ph3P)2CuIn(SeC{O}Ph)4].CH2Cl2 (6), and [(Ph3P)2AgIn(SeC{O}Ph)4].CH2Cl2 (7), have been synthesized by incorporating either alkali metal ions (Na+ and K+) or group 11 metal ions (Cu(I) and Ag(I)) into the [M(SeC{O}Ph)4]- anion. Crystal structures determined by X-ray crystallography indicate that 3 and 5 have one-dimensional coordination polymeric structures while 6 and 7 have an M(mu-Se)2In (M = Cu, Ag) core. The thermal decomposition of these compounds except 4 lead to the formation of the corresponding metal selenides as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and in some cases by powder X-ray diffraction studies.