Germanium-carbon versus germanium-nitrogen double-bond formation in the reactions between germylenes and diazo compounds

The reactions between methyl diazoacetate, HC(N₂)COOMe, and a range of germylenes L₂Ge [L = CH₃], NH₂, OCH₃, Ph, CH=CH₂, SiH₃, (H₃Si)₂N, and (H₃Si)₂CH] have been studied using MNDO calculations. Molecular and electronic structures have been determined for the transoid germaketimines L₂Ge=N-N=C(H)COOMe [the primary 11 adducts of L₂Ge and HC(N₂)COOMe], for their cyclic cisoid isomers, and for the germaethenes L₂Ge=C(H)COOMe. The intermediate L₂GeCH(N₂)COOMe was found to dissociate smoothly along the unique GeC bond when L = NH₂, OCH₃, or (H₃Si)₂N (so leading to no net reaction) but to undergo facile loss of N₂, forming the germaethene L₂Ge=C(H)COOMe, when L = CH₃, Ph, CH=CH₂, SiH₃, or (H₃Si)₂CH. The calculations thus enable the prediction of substantially different patterns of reactivity, and hence different products, in the reactions between diazo compounds and the two closely similar germylenes [(Me₃Si)₂N]₂Ge and [(Me₃Si)₂CH]₂Ge.     

First cyclotrisiloxanes with three different R2Si-units of the general formula R2Si(OSiR2)(OSiR2)O (R2 = Me2Si(NSiMe3)2, R = Cl, Ot-Bu, R = Me)

The reaction of compound Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si(OH)Cl with Me₂SiCl₂ leads to the disiloxane Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si(Cl)OSi(Me₂)Cl (1). Hydrolysis of 1 in the presence of pyridine results in Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si(OH)OSi(Me₂)OH (2), which is allowed to react with SiCl₄ to give cyclotrisiloxane [Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si](OSiMe₂)(OSiCl₂)O (3). The treatment of 1 with (t-BuO)₂Si(OH)₂ forms cyclotrisiloxane [Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si](OSiMe₂)[OSi(Ot-Bu)₂]O (4). Compound 3 is obtained as a crystalline solid while 4 is an oily liquid. The ring size of these new types of cyclotrisiloxanes with three different R₂Si-units is confirmed by cryoscopy in benzene, ²⁹Si NMR chemical shifts and in case of 3, additionally by a single X-ray diffraction study. The different electronegativities of the substituents in the R₂Si-units lead to different bond lengths and bond angles within the Si₃O₃ cycle, which are discussed in detail in the molecular structure of 3.     

MeCAAC=N−: A Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene Imino Ligand

A cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) has been shown to react with a covalent azide similar to the Staudinger reaction. The reaction of ^MeCAAC with trimethylsilyl azide afforded the N-silylated 2-iminopyrrolidine (^MeCAAC=NSiMe₃), which was fully characterized. This compound undergoes hydrolysis to afford the 2-iminopyrrolidine and trimethylsiloxane which co-crystallize as a hydrogen-bonded adduct. The N-silylated 2-iminopyrrolidine was used to transfer the novel pyrrolidine-2-iminato ligand onto both main-group and transition-metal centers. The reaction of the tetrabromodiborane bis(dimethyl sulfide) adduct with two equivalents of ^MeCAAC=NSiMe₃ afforded the disubstituted diborane. The reaction of ^MeCAAC=NSiMe₃ with TiCl₄ and CpTiCl₃ afforded ^MeCAAC=NTiCl₃ and ^MeCAAC=NTiCl₂Cp, respectively.     

Intermediates in the reactions of electron-rich germylenes with an acyl azide: An MNDO-SCF-MO investigation

The experimentally known reaction between the electron-rich germylene [(Me₃Si)₂N]₂Ge andp-CH₃C₆H₄SO₂N₃ has been modeled computationally by MNDO calculations on the reaction intermediates formed by [CH₃Si)₂E]₂Ge (E=N or CH) and CH₃CON₃. Molecular and electronic structures have been established for the acyclic germaketimines [(CH₃Si)₂E]₂Ge=N-N=N-COCH₃ (the primary 11 adducts formed by the reactants) and [CCH₃Si)₂E]₂Ge=N-COCH₃, and for the cyclic species [(H₃Si)₂E]₂Ge-N=N-N=C(CH₃)-O, [(H₃Si)₂E]₂Ge-N=N-N(COCH₃), and [(H₃Si)₂E]₂-Ge-N=C(CH₃-O. The intermediates [(H₃Si)₂E]₂-GeN(N₂)COCH₃ were found, upon formation, to undergo smooth dissociation along the N()-N() bond, with loss of N₂, to provide acyclic [H₃Si)₂E]₂Ge=N-COCH₃; the polymerizations of these latter species to form polygermazanes are extremely exothermic.     

Formation, structure, and reactivities of 1:1 adducts between quadricyclane and (η-cyclopentadienyl)(1,2-diphenyl- or -dimethoxycarbonyl-1,2-ethenedithiolato)rhodium(III)

The rhodiadithiolene complexes [Rh(Cp)(S₂C₂Z₂)] (Z=Ph (1a) and COOMe (1b)) reacted with quadricyclane (Q) to give 1:1 adducts [Rh(Cp)(S₂C₂Z₂) (C₇H₈)] (Z=Ph (2a) and COOMe (2b)) in which Rh and S of the complexes are bridged by C(7) (bridge carbons) and C(5) (edge carbons) of norbornene (C₇H₈), respectively. The structure of the adduct 2a was re-investigated and determined by X-ray structural analysis. The rhodiadithiolene complexes and those adducts showed the catalytic activities for the thermal isomerization from Q to norbornadiene (NBD). Adduct 2a photochemically dissociated to give the original complex 1a and NBD upon irradiation with a high-pressure mercury lamp. Skeletal rearrangements of the hydrocarbon moiety were confirmed in the formation of these adducts and in their photo-dissociation, according to deuterium labeling experiments.     

Stable N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Adducts of Arylchlorosilylenes and Their Germanium Homologues

The first N‐heterocyclic carbene adducts of arylchlorosilylenes are reported and compared with the homologous germanium compounds. The arylsilicon(II) chlorides SiArCl(Im‐Me₄) [Ar=C₆H₃‐2,6‐Mes₂ (Mes=C₆H₂‐2,4,6‐Me₃), C₆H₃‐2,6‐Trip₂ (Trip=C₆H₂‐2,4,6‐iPr₃)] were obtained selectively on dehydrochlorination of the arylchlorosilanes SiArHCl₂ with 1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene (Im‐Me₄). The analogous arylgermanium(II) chlorides GeArCl(Im‐Me₄) were prepared by metathetical exchange of GeCl₂(Im‐Me₄) with LiC₆H₃‐2,6‐Mes₂ or addition of Im‐Me₄ to GeCl(C₆H₃‐2,6‐Trip₂). All compounds were fully characterized. Density functional calculations on ECl(C₆H₃‐2,6‐Trip₂)(Im‐Me₄), where E=Si, Ge, at different levels of theory show very good agreement between calculated and experimental bonding parameters, and NBO analyses reveal similar electronic structures of the two aryltetrel(II) chlorides. The low gas‐phase Gibbs free energy of bond dissociation of SiCl(C₆H₃‐2,6‐Trip₂)(Im‐Me₄) (Δ${G{{{\circ}\hfill \atop {\rm calcd}\hfill}}}$ =28.1 kJ mol^?1) suggests that the carbene adducts SiArCl(Im‐Me₄) may be valuable transfer reagents of the arylsilicon(II) chlorides SiArCl.     

Arenechromiumtricarbonyl complexes of silyl(germyl)(stannyl)- and silyl(germyl)(plumbyl)methanes including the unexpected formation of arenechromiumtricarbonyldimethylsilanol, (η-C6H5)Cr(CO)3SiMe2OH

Treatment of PhMe₂SiCH₂GeMe₃ (1) with t-BuLi followed by addition of Me₃ECl, E = Sn, Pb, results in the formation of phenylsilyl(germyl)stannyl- and phenylsilyl(germyl)plumbyl-methanes, PhMe₂Si(Me₃Ge)(EMe₃)CH, E = Sn (2), Pb (3). The thermal reaction of 1, 2 and 3 with Cr(CO)₆ yields the corresponding aryl-Cr(CO)₃ analogs, {(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃}Me₂Si(Me₃Ge)CH₂ (4) and {(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃}Me₂Si(Me₃Ge)(EMe₃)CH, E = Sn (5), Pb (6). The thermal treatment of 2 with Cr(CO)₆ in a wet THF/di-n-butyl ether mixture results in the formation of the arenechromiumtricarbonyl silanol {(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃}Me₂SiOH (7) which exhibits amphiphilic character, forming H-bonded chains in the solid state in a head-to-head arrangement of the areneCr(CO)₃ units.     

Some addition reactions of bisgermavinylidene

The reaction of bisgermavinylidene [(Me₃SiN?PPh₂)₂C?Ge→Ge?C(PPh₂?NSiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) with AdNCO (Ad = Adamantyl) afforded the [2 + 2] cycloadditon product [(Me₃SiN?PPh₂)₂CGeC(O) NAd] ( 2 ). Similar reaction of 1 with Ph₃SiOH in tetrahydrofuran (THF) yielded the base‐stabilized germanium(II) triphenylsiloxide [H₂C(PPh₂?NSiMe₃)₂Ge(OSiPh₃)₂] ( 3 ). The results suggested that reactive germavinylidene may exist in solution and is capable of forming addition reaction products. The X‐ray structures of 2 and 3 were determined. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

X-ray diffraction studies of two azametallatranes. Peculiarities of structures of N,N′,N″-tris(trimethylsilyl)azametallatranes using DFT calculations

Single crystal structures of N(CH₂CH₂NSiMe₃)₃Si-Vinyl (1) and N(CH₂CH₂NSiMe₃)₃Si-n-Butyl (2) were determined by X-ray diffraction studies: both compounds show weak transannular N_ax→M interactions (1, d(N_ax→Si)=2.712(1) Å, 2, d(N_ax→Ge)=2.743(3) Å). General trends for molecular structures of the group 14 elements (Si, Ge, Sn) azametallatranes are discussed with also included DFT calculations data.     

New yttrium complexes with the 1,8-bis(trimethylsilylamido)naphthalene ligand. The molecular structures of complexes [1,8-C10H6(NSiMe3)2YCl(DME)]2(μ-Cl)[Li(DME)3] and {[1,8-C10H6(NSiMe3)2]YN(SiMe3)2(μ-Cl)}2{Li(DME)3}2

The reaction of equimolar amounts of YC1₃ and [1,8-C₁₀H₆(NSiMe₃)₂]Li₂ in THF produced the complex {[1,8-C₁₀H₆(NSiMe₃)₂YCl(DME)]₂(μ-Cl)}[Li(DME)₃] (1), which was isolated by recrystallization from a DME—hexane mixture as yellow crystals in 82% yield. The reaction of complex 1 with (Me₃Si)₂NLi(Et₂0) (in a molar ratio of 1:2) in toluene gave the corresponding amide derivative [1,8-C₁₀H₆(NSiMe₃)₂YN(SiMe₃)₂(μ-Cl)]₂[Li(DME)₃]₂ (2). The recrystallization of the reaction product from toluene afforded complex 2 in 73% yield. The X-ray diffraction study showed that in the crystalline state, compounds 1 and 2 consist of the isolated cationic and anionic moieties. The complex anions are dinuclear moieties with the bridging chlorine ligands.     

N-Silylierung und Si?O-Bindungsspaltung bei der Reaktion lithiierter Siloxy-silylamino-silane mit Chlortrimethylsilan

N-Silylation and Si? O Bond Splitting at the Reaction of Lithiated Siloxy-silylamino-silanes with Chlorotrimethylsilane Lithiated Siloxy-silylamino-silanes were allowed to react in tetrahydrofurane (THF) and in n-octane (favoured) and n-hexane, resp., with chlorotrimethylsilane. The monoamide (Me₃SiO)Me₂Si(NLiSiMe₃) gives in THF and in n-octane the N-substitution product (Me₃SiO)Me₂Si · [N(SiMe₃)₂] 1 , the diamide (Me₃SiO)MeSi(NLiSiMe₃)₂ only in THF the N-substitution products (Me₃SiO)MeSi[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ 2 (main product) and (Me₃SiO)MeSi[N(SiMe₃)₂](NHSiMe₃) 3 . In n-octane the diamide reacts mainly under Si? O bond splitting. The cyclodisilazane [(Me₃SiNH)MeSi? NSiMe₃]₂ 6 is obtained as the main product. Byproducts are 2, 3 and the tris(trimethylsilylamino) substituted disilazane (Me₃SiO)(Me₃SiNH)MeSi? N · (SiMe₃)? SiMe(NHSiMe₃)₂ 7 . The triamide (Me₃SiO)Si · (NLiSiMe₃)₃ reacts under Si? O and Si? N bond splitting in n-octane as well as in THF. The cyclodisilazanes [(Me₃SiNH)₂ · Si? NSiMe₃]₂ 10 and ( 11 : R = Me₃SiNH, 12 : R = (Me₃Si)₂N) are formed. in THF furthermore the N-substitution products (Me₃SiO)Si[N(SiMe₃)₂] · (NHSiMe₃)₂ 4 and (Me₃SiO)Si[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂(NHSiMe₃) 5 . The Si? O bond splitting occurs in boiling n-octane also in absence of the chlorotrimethylsilane. An amide solution of (Me₃SiO)MeSi(NHSiMe₃)₂ with n-butyllithium in the molar ratio 1 : 1 leads in n-octane and n-hexane to 6 and 7 , in THF to 3 . The amide solutions of (Me₃SiO)Si · (NHSiMe₃)₃ with n-butyllithium the molar ratio 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 give in THF 4 and 5 , respectively.     

Zur Chemie des Titan(III)-Komplexes [{(Me3Si)2N}2TiCH2SiMe2NSiMe3]–. Insertions-Reaktionen in die Ti–C-Bindung und Redox-Reaktionen

On the Chemistry of the Titanium(III) Complex [{(Me₃Si)₂N}₂TiCH₂SiMe₂NSiMe₃]^–. Insertion Reactions into the Ti–C Bond and Redox Reactions [Na(12-crown-4)₂][{(Me₃Si)₂N}₂TiCH₂SiMe₂NSiMe₃] ( 1 ) reacts with CO and the isonitrile CNCy (Cy = Cyclohexyl) under insertion into the Ti–C bond. After rearrangement planar five-membered titana(III)-heterocycles TiOCSiN and TiNCSiN with exocyclic C=CH₂ groups are formed. On the other hand, the insertion of CNBu^t leads to the primary insertion product [Na(12-crown-4)₂][{(Me₃Si)₂N}₂TiC(NBu^t)CCH₂SiMe₂NSiMe₃] ( 4 ) forming a new Ti(III)–C-bond. With NOBF₄ the anion of 1 can be oxydized to form the molecular complex [{(Me₃Si)₂N}₂TiCH₂SiMe₂NSiMe₃] ( 5 ), while with phenylacetylene redox disproportionation occurs, in the course of which the mixed ligand complex [Na(12-crown-4)₂][{(Me₃Si)₂N}₂Ti(NSiMe₃)(CH₂SiMe₂C≡C–Ph)] ( 6 ) can be isolated. 6 and the insertion products [Na(12-crown-4)₂][{(Me₃Si)₂N}₂TiOC(CH₂)SiMe₂NSiMe₃] ( 2 ) and [Na(12-crown-4)₂][{(Me₃Si)₂N}₂TiNCyC(CH₂)SiMe₂NSiMe₃] ( 3 ) are characterized by crystal structure determinations.     

Preparation of Stable Low‐Oxidation‐State Group 14 Element Amidohydrides and Hydride‐Mediated Ring‐Expansion Chemistry of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Various low oxidation state (+2) group 14 element amidohydride adducts, IPr ? EH(BH₃)NHDipp (E=Si or Ge; IPr=[(HCNDipp)₂C:], Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), were synthesized. Thermolysis of the reported adducts was investigated as a potential route to Si‐ and Ge‐based clusters; however, unexpected transmetallation chemistry occurred to yield the carbene–borane adduct, IPr ? BH₂NHDipp. When a solution of IPr ? BH₂NHDipp in toluene was heated to 100 °C, a rare C? N bond‐activation/ring‐expansion reaction involving the bound N‐heterocyclic carbene donor (IPr) transpired.     

Metallorganische diazoalkane : XVI. Synthese von silyldiazoalkanen Me3Si(LnM)CN2

Silyldiazoalkanes Me₃Si(L_nM)CN₂ (L_nM = Me₃Si, Me₃Ge, Me₃Sn, Me₃Pb; Me₃As, Me₃Sb, Me₃Bi) have been synthesized by three different routes: (a) reactions of the Me₃SiCHN₂ with metal amides L_nMNR¹R² of Group IVB and VB elements, using Me₃SnCl as catalyst; (b) reactions of the in situ prepared organolithium compound Me₃SiC(Li)N₂ with organometallic chlorides Me₃MCl (M = Si, Ge); (c) tincarbon bond cleavage reaction of (Me₃Sn)₂CN₂ with Me₃SiN₃, affording Me₃SnN₃, traces of bis(trimethylsilyl)diazomethane (Me₃Si)CN₂, trimethylsilyl(trimethylstannyl)diazomethane Me₃Si(Me₃Sn)CN₂ and bis(trimethylsilyl)aminoisocyanide (Me₃Si)₂NNC as the major reaction products. IR and NMR data (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ¹¹⁹Sn, ²⁰⁷Pb) of the new heterometal-diazoalkanes are reported and discussed in comparison to relevant compounds of the organometallic diazoalkane series.     

Substituted Cyclooctatetraene Complexes of Yttrium and Erbium with Bis(phosphinimino)methanides — Synthesis and Structure

A one pot reaction of Li₂{1, 4‐(Me₃Si)₂C₈H₆}, LnCl₃, and K{CH(PPh₂NSiMe₃)₂} leads to the 1, 4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclooctatetraene bis(phosphinimino)methanide complexes of yttrium and erbium, [{CH(PPh₂NSiMe₃)₂}Ln(η⁸‐{1, 4‐(Me₃Si)₂C₈H₆})] (Ln = Y, Er). Both complexes have been characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The solid state structures show that the two bulky ligands cause a steric crowding around the lanthanide atom. As a result of this steric crowding both ligands are asymmetrically attached to the lanthanide atom.     

Reactivity and electrochemical behavior of ruthenium dithiolene complexes with coordinatively unsaturated metal centers: cycloaddition and dimerization reactions

The novel ruthenium dithiolene complexes [(arene)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}] (arene = C₆H₆ (1a), C₆H₄(Me)(iPr) (1b), C₆Me₆ (1c)) were synthesized. The equilibrium between complex 1a and the corresponding dimer [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}]₂ (1a′) was confirmed in solution. The reaction of complex 1a with dimethyl- or diethylacetylene dicaboxylate gave the alkene-bridged adducts [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}{C₂(COOR)₂}] (R = Me (2a), Et (3a)) as [2 + 2] cycloaddition products formally. The reactions of complex 1a with diazo compounds also gave the alkylidene-bridged adducts [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}(CHR)] (R = H (4a), SiMe₃ (5a), COOEt (6a)) as [2 + 1] cycloaddition products. The electrochemical behavior of complex 1a was investigated. The reductant of complex 1a was a stable species for several minutes. The oxidant of complex 1a was very unstable; the cation 1a⁺ formed was immediately converted to the corresponding cationic dimer 1a′⁺. The cationic dimer 1a′⁺ was stable for several minutes, and it was rapidly and quantitatively converted to the neutral complex 1a when it was reduced.     

Mixed-ligand guanidinate derivatives of rare-earth metals. Molecular structures of { (Me3Si)2NC(N-cyclo-Hex)2}Y[N(SiMe3)2]2, [{ (Me3Si)2NC(N-cyclo-Hex)2}YbI(THF)2]2, and [{(Me3Si)2N} Y(THF)(µ-Cl)]2 complexes

The insertion of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide at one of the Y-N bonds of the [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Y complex in toluene at 70 °C afforded the monoguanidinate diamide derivative { (Me₃Si)₂NC(N-cyclo-Hex)₂}Y[N(SiMe)₃]₂ (1) (cyclo-Hex is cyclohexyl) in 72% yield. The reaction of equimolar amounts of sodium N,N′-dicyclohexyl-N″-bis(trimethylsilyl)guanidinate, which was prepared in situ from {(Me₃Si)₂N}Na and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and YbI₂(THF)₂ in THF gave the [{(Me₃Si)₂NC(N-cyclo-Hex)₂}YbI(THF)₂]₂ complex (2). An attempt to use this procedure for the synthesis of the yttrium compound { (Me₃Si)₂NC(NSiMe₃)₂}₂YCl containing the sterically more hindered guanidinate ligand unexpectedly led to the formation of the diamide chloride complex [{(Me₃Si)₂N}₂Y(THF)(µ-Cl)]₂ (3). The structures of complexes 1–3 were established by X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is mononuclear. Complexes 2 and 3 are dinuclear and contain two µ²-bridging halide ligands.     

Modification of Yttrium Silyl-Bridged Amide Alkyl Complexes through Si−H/C−H Cross-Dehydrocoupling of Silanes with a Silylamino Ligand: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Mechanism

A new method for the modification of a silylamino ligand has been developed through mono and dual C(sp³)−H/Si−H cross-dehydrocoupling with silanes. The reaction of [LY{η²-(C,N)-CH₂Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (L=bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-β-diketiminato, L′ ( 1^L ′); L=tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, Tp^Me2 ( 1^TpMe2 )) with 2 equivalents of PhSiH₃ in toluene gave the complexes [LY{η²-(C,N)-C(SiH₂Ph)₂Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (L=L′ ( 2^L’ ); L=Tp^Me2 ( 2^TpMe2 )). Moreover, 1^TpMe2 reacted with the secondary silanes Ph₂SiH₂ and Et₂SiH₂ to afford the corresponding mono C−H activation products [Tp^Me2Y{η²-(C,N)-CH(SiHR₂)Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}] (R=Ph ( 4 b ); R=Et ( 4 c )). The equimolar reaction of 1^TpMe2 with PhSiH₃ also produced the mono C−H activation product 4 a ([Tp^Me2Y{η²-(C,N)-CH(SiH₂Ph)Si(Me₂)NSiMe₃}(thf)]). A study of their reactivity showed that 4 a facilely reacted with 2 equivalents of benzothiazole by an unusual 1,1-addition of the C=N bond of the benzothiazolyl unit to the Si−H bond to give the C−H/Si−H cross-dehydrocoupling product [(Tp^Me2)Y{η³-(N,N,N)-N(SiMe₃)SiMe₂CH₂Si(Ph)(CSC₆H₄N)(CHSC₆H₄N)}] ( 5 ). These results indicate that this modification endows the silylamino ligand with novel reactivity.     

An N‐Heterocyclic Silylene‐Stabilized Digermanium(0) Complex

The synthesis of an N‐heterocyclic silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex is described. The reaction of the amidinate‐stabilized silicon(II) amide [LSiN(SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ; L=PhC(NtBu)₂) with GeCl₂?dioxane in toluene afforded the Si^II–Ge^II adduct [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→GeCl₂] ( 2 ). Reaction of the adduct with two equivalents of KC₈ in toluene at room temperature afforded the N‐heterocyclic carbene silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→ Ge?Ge←Si{N(SiMe₃)₂}L] ( 3 ). X‐ray crystallography and theoretical studies show conclusively that the N‐heterocyclic silylenes stabilize the singlet digermanium(0) moiety by a weak synergic donor–acceptor interaction.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Syndio‐Specific Styrene Polymerization of Pyrrolyl‐Substituted Cyclopentadienyl Scandium Complexes

Acid‐base reaction of Sc(CH₂C₆H₄NMe₂‐o)₃ with 1 equiv. of pyrrolyl‐substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand C₄H₂Me₂NSiMe₂C₅Me₄H in toluene gave the half‐sandwich scandium bis(aminobenzyl) complex (C₄H₂Me₂NSiMe₂C₅Me₄)Sc(CH₂C₆H₄NMe₂‐o)₂ ( 2 ). Amine elimination between Sc[N(SiHMe₂)₂]₃(THF) and one equivalent of C₄H₂Me₂NSiMe₂C₅Me₄H afforded the scandium bis(silylamide) complex (C₄Me₂H₂NSiMe₂C₅Me₄)Sc[(NSiHMe₂)₂SiMe₂](THF) ( 3 ). Both scandium complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. 2 and 3 could serve as highly active precursors for styrene polymerization to give syndio‐tactic polystyrene (rrrrrr > 99 %).