Hydrogermylation of phenylacetylene catalyzed by onium chlorometallates

Triethylbenzylammonium chlorometallates [Et₃NCH₂Ph][MCl_n]^m? (M = Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Fe, Co, Cu, m = 1–3, n = 3–6), polymer-anchored ionic metal complexes [?—CH₂PBu₃][MCl_n]^n? and some other chlorometallates and complexes of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and osmium were studied as catalysts in the hydrogermylation of phenylacetylene with triethylgermane. All the complexes containing platinum, palladium and rhodium were found to be effective catalysts. The cis/trans ratio of the products obtained is determined by the metal atom involved and decreases in the following order: Ir > Rh ? Pd > Pt.