Heavy Carbene Analogues: Donor‐Free Bismuthenium and Stibenium Ions

Kinetically stabilized congeners of carbenes, R₂C, possessing six valence electrons (four bonding electrons and two non‐bonding electrons) have been restricted to Group 14 elements, R₂E (E=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; R=alkyl or aryl) whereas isoelectronic Group 15 cations, divalent species of type [R₂E]⁺ (E=P, As, Sb, Bi; R=alkyl or aryl), were unknown. Herein, we report the first two examples, namely the bismuthenium ion [(2,6‐Mes₂C₆H₃)₂Bi][BAr^F₄] ( 1 ; Mes=2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂, Ar^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) and the stibenium ion [(2,6‐Mes₂C₆H₃)₂Sb][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 2 ), which were obtained by using a combination of bulky meta‐terphenyl substituents and weakly coordinating anions.     

A Metal‐Containing N‐Heterocyclic Germylene Based on an Oxalamidine Framework

A metal‐containing N‐heterocyclic germylene based on a N‐mesityl (Mes)‐substituted oxalamidine framework is reported. The precursor (MesN=)₂C–C(–N(H)Mes)₂ ( 1 H₂) was converted into its rhodium complex [Rh(κ²N‐ 1 H₂)(cod)][OTf] ( 2 ) (cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene; OTf = triflate) in 62 % isolated yield. Subsequent reaction of 2 with Ge{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂ gave the crystalline N‐heterocyclic germylene [Rh(cod)(μ‐ 1 )Ge][OTf] ( 3 ) in 50 % yield. The compounds under study were fully characterized by various methods, also including X‐ray crystallographic studies on single crystals of 2 and 3 . Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that π conjugation in the bridging oxalamidine framework is increased and n(N)–p(Ge) π bonding is decreased upon κ²N metal coordination; a further weakening of the Ge–N bond occurs through triflate coordination to the Ge^II atom. Nevertheless, preliminary coordination studies revealed that 3 behaves as 2‐electron (L ‐type) germylene donor ligand. Treatment of 3 with [Ir(cod)Cl]₂ furnished the heterobimetallic complex [Rh(cod)(μ‐ 1 )Ge‐Ir(cod)Cl][OTf] ( 4 ), as evidenced by NMR spectroscopic investigations and DFT calculations.     

Dehydrogenative Double C−H Bond Activation in a Germylene-Rhodium Complex**

Transition metal tetrylene complexes offer great opportunities for molecular cooperation due to the ambiphilic character of the group 14 element. Here we focus on the coordination of germylene [(Ar^Mes2)₂Ge :] (Ar^Mes=C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₂-2,4,6-Me₃)₂) to [RhCl(COD)]₂ (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene), which yields a neutral germyl complex in which the rhodium center exhibits both η⁶- and η²-coordination to two mesityl rings in an unusual pincer-type structure. Chloride abstraction from this species triggers a singular dehydrogenative double C−H bond activation across the Ge/Rh motif. We have isolated and fully characterized three rhodium-germyl species associated to three C−H cleavage events along this process. The reaction mechanism has been further investigated by computational means, supporting the key cooperative action of rhodium and germanium centers.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Magnesium Boryl and a Beryllium‐Substituted Diazaborole

Reaction of a lithium boryl, [(THF)₂Li{B(DAB)}] (DAB=[(DipNCH)₂]^2?, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl), with a dinuclear magnesium(I) compound [{(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂] (^MesNacnac=[HC(MeCNMes)₂]^?, Mes=mesityl) unexpectedly afforded a rare example of a terminal magnesium boryl species, [(^MesNacnac)(THF)Mg{B(DAB)}]. Attempts to prepare the magnesium boryl via a salt metathesis reaction between the lithium boryl and a β‐diketiminato magnesium iodide compound, instead led to an intractable mixture of products. Similarly, reaction of the lithium boryl with a β‐diketiminato beryllium bromide precursor, [(^DepNacnac)BeBr] (Dep=2,6‐diethylphenyl) did not give a beryllium boryl, but instead afforded an unprecedented example of a beryllium substituted diazaborole heterocycle, [{(^DepNacnac)Be(4‐DAB^?H)}BBr]. For sake of comparison, the same group 2 halide precursor compounds were treated with a potassium gallyl analogue of the lithium boryl, viz. [(tmeda)K{:Ga(DAB)}] (tmeda=N,N,N’,N’‐tetramethylethylenediamine), but no reactions were observed.     

The “Metallo”-Diels–Alder Reactions: Examining the Metalloid Behavior of Germanimines

Addition of MesN₃ (Mes=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) to germylene [(NON^tBu)Ge] (NON^tBu=O(SiMe₂NtBu)₂) ( 1 ) gives germanimine, [(NON^tBu)Ge=NMes] ( 2 ). Compound 2 behaves as a metalloid, showing reactivity reminiscent of both transition metal-imido complexes, undergoing [2+2] addition with heterocumulenes and protic sources, as well as an activated diene, undergoing a [4+2] cycloaddition, or “metallo”-Diels–Alder, reaction. In the latter case, the diene includes the Ge=N bond and π-system of the Mes substituent, which is reactive towards dienophiles including benzaldehyde, benzophenone, styrene, and phenylacetylene.     

A Mixed‐Valence Tri‐Zinc Complex, [LZnZnZnL] (L=Bulky Amide), Bearing a Linear Chain of Two‐Coordinate Zinc Atoms

Reduction of a variety of extremely bulky amido Group 12 metal halide complexes, [LMX(THF)_0,1] (L=amide; M=Zn, Cd, or Hg; X=halide) with a magnesium(I) dimer gave a homologous series of two‐coordinate metal(I) dimers, [L′MML′] (L′=N(Ar^?)(SiMe₃), Ar^?=C₆H₂{C(H)Ph₂}₂Prⁱ‐2,6,4); and the formally zinc(0) complex, [L*ZnMg(^MesNacnac)] (L*=N(Ar*)(SiPrⁱ₃); Ar*=C₆H₂{C(H)Ph₂}₂Me‐2,6,4; ^MesNacnac=[(MesNCMe)₂CH]^?, Mes=mesityl), which contains the first unsupported Zn? Mg bond. Two equivalents of [L*ZnMg(^MesNacnac)] react with ZnBr₂ or ZnBr₂(tmeda) to give the mixed valence, two‐coordinate, linear tri‐zinc complex, [L*Zn^IZn⁰Zn^IL*], and the first zinc(I) halide complex, [L*ZnZnBr(tmeda)], respectively. The analogues [L*ZnMZnL*] (M=Cd or Hg), were also prepared, the Cd species contains the first Zn? Cd bond in a molecular compound. Metal–metal bonding was studied by DFT calculations.     

Hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten Complexes: Dynamic Behavior and Reactivity Toward Acetone

Reaction of a labile tungsten nitrile complex, [(Cp*)W(CO)₂(NCMe)Me] (Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), with H₃SiC(SiMe₃)₃ gave the hydrido(hydrosilylene) complex [(Cp*)(CO)₂(H)W?Si(H){C(SiMe₃)₃}] ( 1a ). The hydrido(silylene) complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂(H)W?SiMes₂] ( 2 ) (Mes=2,4,6‐Me‐C₆H₂) was synthesized by a similar reaction with H₂SiMes₂. There is a strong interligand interaction between the hydrido and silylene ligands of these complexes; this was confirmed by a neutron diffraction study of [D₂] 1b , that is, the deuterido and η⁵‐C₅Me₄Et derivative of 1a . The exchange between the W? H and the Si? D groups was observed in the deuterido complex [D] 1a . This H/D exchange proceeded slowly at room temperature, but very rapidly under UV irradiation. Variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy measurements show the dynamic behavior of carbonyl ligands in 1a . Complex 1a reacted with acetone at room temperature to give mainly a hydrosilylation product, [(Cp*)(CO)₂(H)W?Si(OiPr){C(SiMe₃)₃}] ( 3a ), along with a siloxy complex, [(Cp*)(CO)₂WO(Si(H)iPr{C(SiMe₃)₃})] ( 4a ). At low temperature, a different reaction, namely, α‐H abstraction, proceeded to give an equilibrium mixture of 1a and a dihydrido(silyl) complex, [(Cp*)(CO)₂(H)₂W(Si(H){OC(?CH₂)Me}{C(SiMe₃)₃})] ( 5 ).     

Crystalline Boragermenes

Boragermene 3 featuring a double bond between the Ge and dicoordinate B atoms has been synthesized for the first time by reacting the cyclic (alkyl)(boryl)germylene–PMe₃ adduct 1 with Cl₂BN(SiMe₃)₂ followed by reductive dehalogenation with KC₈. Addition of a Lewis base (^MeNHC) to 3 leads to the formation of the corresponding adduct 4 , which shows double bond character between the Ge and tricoordinate B atoms. Compound 3 undergoes hydrogenation with H₂ concomitant with a complete scission of the Ge=B bond.     

Crystalline Boragermenes

Boragermene 3 featuring a double bond between the Ge and dicoordinate B atoms has been synthesized for the first time by reacting the cyclic (alkyl)(boryl)germylene–PMe₃ adduct 1 with Cl₂BN(SiMe₃)₂ followed by reductive dehalogenation with KC₈. Addition of a Lewis base (^MeNHC) to 3 leads to the formation of the corresponding adduct 4 , which shows double bond character between the Ge and tricoordinate B atoms. Compound 3 undergoes hydrogenation with H₂ concomitant with a complete scission of the Ge=B bond.     

Amidinato Germylene‐Zinc Complexes: Synthesis,Bonding, and Reactivity

Despite the explosive growth of germylene compounds as ligands in transition metal complexes, there is a modicum of precedence for the germylene zinc complexes. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of new germylene zinc complexes [PhC(NtBu)₂Ge{N(SiMe₃)₂}→ZnX₂]₂ (X= Br ( 2 ) and I ( 3 )) supported by (benz)‐amidinato germylene ligands are reported. The solid‐state structures of 2 and 3 have been validated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies, which revealed the dimeric nature of the complexes, with distorted tetrahedral geometries around the Ge and Zn center. DFT calculations reveal that the Ge–Zn bonds in 2 and 3 are dative in nature. The reaction of 2 with elemental sulfur resulted in the first structurally characterized germathione stabilized ZnBr₂ complexes PhC(NtBu)₂Ge(=S){N(SiMe₃)₂}→ZnBr₂ ( 5 ). Therefore, the Ge=S in 5 is in‐between Ge–S single and Ge=S double bond length, owing to the coordination of a sulfur lone pair of electrons to ZnBr₂.     

Transient Silenes as Versatile Synthons – The Reaction of Dichloromethyl‐tris(trimethylsilyl)silane with Organolithium Reagents

Treatment of dichloromethyl‐tris(trimethylsilyl)silane (Me₃Si)₃Si–CHCl₂ ( 1 ), prepared by the reaction of tris(trimethylsilyl)silane with chloroform in presence of potassium tertbutoxide, with organolithium reagents (molar ratio 1 : 3) affords the bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl‐disilanes Me₃SiSiR₂–CH(SiMe₃)₂ ( 12 a–d ) ( a : R = Me, b : R = n‐Bu, c : R = Ph, d : R = Mes). The formation of 12 a–d is discussed as proceeding through an exceptional series of isomerization and addition reactions involving intermediate silyl substituted carbenoids and transient silenes. The carbenoid (Me₃Si)₂PhSi–C(SiMe₃)LiCl ( 8 c ) is moderately stable at low temperature and was trapped with water to give (Me₃Si)₂PhSi–CH(SiMe₃)Cl ( 9 c ) and with chlorotrimethylsilane affording (Me₃Si)₂PhSi–CCl(SiMe₃)₂ ( 7 c ). For 12 d an X‐ray crystal structure analysis was performed, which characterizes the compound as a highly congested silane with bond parameters significantly deviating from standard values.     

Activation of Protic,Hydridic and Apolar E−H Bonds by a Boryl-Substituted GeII Cation

The synthesis of a boryl-substituted germanium(II) cation, [Ge{B(NDippCH)₂}(IPrMe)]⁺, (Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) featuring a supporting N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) donor, has been explored through chloride abstraction from the corresponding (boryl)(NHC)GeCl precursor. Crystallographic studies in the solid state and UV/Vis spectra in fluorobenzene solution show that this species dimerizes under such conditions to give [(IPrMe){(HCNDipp)₂B}Ge=Ge{B(NDippCH)₂}(IPrMe)]²⁺ (IPrMe = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene), which can be viewed as an imidazolium-functionalized digermene. The dimer is cleaved in the presence of donor solvents such as [D₈]thf or [D₅]pyridine, to give monomeric adducts of the type [Ge{B(NDippCH)₂}(IPrMe)(L)]⁺. In the case of the thf adduct, the additional donor is shown to be sufficiently labile that it can act as a convenient in situ source of the monomeric complex [Ge{B(NDippCH)₂}(IPrMe)]⁺ for oxidative bond-activation chemistry. Thus, [Ge{B(NDippCH)₂}(IPrMe)(thf)]⁺ reacts with silanes and dihydrogen, leading to the formation of Ge^IV products, whereas the cleavage of the N−H bond in ammonia ultimately yields products containing C−H and B−N bonds. The facile reactivity observed in E−H bond activation is in line with the very small calculated HOMO–LUMO gap (132 kJ mol⁻¹).     

SiP Double Bonds: Experimental and Theoretical Study of an NHC‐Stabilized Phosphasilenylidene

An experimental and theoretical study of the first compound featuring a Si?P bond to a two‐coordinate silicon atom is reported. The NHC‐stabilized phosphasilenylidene (IDipp)Si?PMes* (IDipp=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene, Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂) was prepared by SiMe₃Cl elimination from SiCl₂(IDipp) and LiP(Mes*)SiMe₃ and characterized by X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. It has a planar trans‐bent geometry with a short Si? P distance of 2.1188(7) Å and acute bonding angles at Si (96.90(6)°) and P (95.38(6)°). The bonding parameters indicate the presence of a Si?P bond with a lone electron pair of high s‐character at Si and P, in agreement with natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Comparative cyclic voltammetric and UV/Vis spectroscopic experiments of this compound, the disilicon(0) compound (IDipp)Si?Si(IDipp), and the diphosphene Mes*P?PMes* reveal, in combination with quantum chemical calculations, the isolobal relationship of the three double‐bond systems.     

Aryldimethylsilyl Modified Hypersilanes

Aryldimethylsilyl‐substituted hypersilanes ArSiMe₂Hyp [Hyp =Si(SiMe₃)₃; Ar = Mes ( 3a ), Bph ( 3b ), Mph ( 3c ), Pph ( 3d ), Tph ( 3e ); Dpp ( 3f ); with Mes = 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂, Bph = 2‐PhC₆H₄, Mph = 2‐MesC₆H₄, Pph = 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′‐pentamethylbiphenyl2‐yl, Tph = 2′,4′,6′‐triisopropylbiphenyl‐2‐yl and Dpp = 2,6‐Ph₂C₆H₃] have been synthesized by a multi‐step reaction starting from the readily available starting materials ArI and (thf)_xKHyp. For this purpose the aryl iodides were first converted into the lithium aryls by lithium‐halogen exchange with n‐butyl lithium. A salt‐metathesis reaction with SiMe₂Cl₂ gave the corresponding arylchlorodimethylsilanes ( 2a – e ) in excellent yields. Finally, reaction of 2a – e with (thf)_xKHyp afforded the hypersilanes 3a – e in yields up to 86 %. Bis(aryldimethylsilyl)‐substituted silanes (ArSiMe₂)₂Si(SiMe₃)₂ (Ar = Mph ( 4c ), Tph ( 4e )) were obtained by the reaction of 3c or 3e with KOtBu and the corresponding chlorosilanes 2c or 2e . All new compounds have been characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy and for selected species by IR spectroscopy or mass spectrometry. In addition, the solid‐state structures of silanes 3a – d , 3f , and 4c have been investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Bond Formation and Coupling between Germyl and Bridging Germylene Ligands in Dinuclear Palladium(I) Complexes

The dinuclear palladium(I) complexes [L(Ar₂HGe)Pd(μ‐GeAr₂)₂Pd(GeHAr₂)L] (Ar=Ph, p‐Tol; L=PMe₃, tBuNC) contain terminal germyl and bridging germylene ligands with the experimentally observed Ge???Ge bond lengths of 2.8263(4) Å (L=PMe₃) and 2.928(1) Å (L=tBuNC), which are close to the longest Ge? Ge bond reported to date [2.714(1) Å]. Significant Ge???Ge interactions between the germylene and germyl ligands (PMe₃ complexes > tBuNC complexes) are supported by DFT calculations, Wiberg bond indices (WBI), and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses. Exchanging tBuNC for PMe₃ ligands increases the Ge???Ge interaction, and simultaneously activates two Pd? Ge bonds. Adding the chelating diphosphine 1,2‐bis(diethylphosphino)ethane (depe) to the PMe₃ complexes results in the intramolecular coupling of germyl and germylene ligands followed by extrusion of a digermane.     

Beryllium Halide Complexes Incorporating Neutral or Anionic Ligands: Potential Precursors for Beryllium Chemistry

Reactions of the beryllium dihalide complexes [BeX₂(OEt₂)₂] (X=Br or I) with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), a series of diazabutadienes, or bis(diphenylphosphino)methylene (DPPM) have yielded the chelated complexes, [BeX₂(TMEDA)], [BeX₂{(RN=CH)₂}] (R=tBu, mesityl (Mes), 2,6‐diethylphenyl (Dep) or 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dip)), and the non‐chelated system, [BeI₂(κ¹‐P‐DPPM)₂]. Reactions of lithium or potassium salts of a variety of β‐diketiminates have given both three‐coordinate complexes, [{HC(RCNAr)₂}BeX] (R=H or Me; Ar=Mes, Dep or Dip; X=Br or I); and four‐coordinate systems, [{HC(MeCNPh)₂}BeBr(OEt₂)] and [{HC(MeCNDip)(MeCNC₂H₄NMe₂}BeI]. Alkali metal salts of ketiminate, guanidinate, boryl/phosphinosilyl amide, or terphenyl ligands, lead to dimeric [{BeI{μ‐[(OCMe)(DipNCMe)]CH}}₂], and monomeric [{iPr₂NC(NMes)₂}BeI(OEt₂)], [κ²‐N,P‐{(HCNDip)₂B}(PPh₂SiMe₂)NBeI(OEt₂)] and [{C₆H₃Ph₂‐2,6}BeBr(OEt₂)], respectively. Compound [{HC(MeCNPh)₂}BeBr(OEt₂)] undergoes a Schlenk redistribution reaction in solution, affording the homoleptic complex, [{HC(MeCNPh)₂}₂Be]. The majority of the prepared complexes have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography and multi‐nuclear NMR spectroscopy. The structures and stability of the complexes are discussed, as is their potential for use as precursors in poorly developed low oxidation state beryllium chemistry.     

Ge[N(SiMe2iPr)2]2: Ein neues Germylen und dessen Koordinationschemie führt zu der kürzesten Ge–Co‐Bindung

Ge[N(SiMe₂iPr)₂]₂: A New Germylene and its Coordination Chemistry leads to the Shortest Ge–Co Bond The high temperature reaction of Germanium with HBr, which is used for the synthesis of GeBr leads at a higher reaction pressure to a mixture of GeBr and GeBr₂. GeBr₂ reacts with the lithiumsalt LiN(SiMe₂iPr)₂ in good yield to the germylene Ge[N(SiMe₂iPr)₂]₂. Subsequent reaction of this germylene with Co₂(CO)₈ leads to the germanium cobalt cluster compound {Co(CO)₃Ge[N(SiMe₂iPr)₂]₂}₂ featuring the shortest Ge–Co bond giving hints to a possibly multiple bonded system.     

The Reaction of Transient 1,1‐Bis(trimethylsilyl)silenes with Tris(trimethylsilyl)silyllithium – Synthesis and Structure of Sterically Congested 1‐Trimethylsilylalkylpolysilanes

Tris(trimethylsilyl)silyllithium ( 3 ) reacted with aldehydes and ketones (molar ratio 2 : 1) according to a modified Peterson mechanism under formation of transient silenes, which were immediately trapped by excess 3 to give the organolithium derivatives (Me₃Si)₃SiSi(SiMe₃)₂C(Li)R¹R² ( 7 ). Hydrolysis of 7 afforded the alkylpolysilanes (Me₃Si)₃SiSi(SiMe₃)₂CHR¹R² ( 8 ). Depending on the substituents R¹ and R², 7 proved to be rather unstable in THF solution and underwent a rapid rearrangement, involving a 1,3‐Si,C‐trimethylsilyl migration, resulting in the formation of the lithium silanides (Me₃Si)₂Si(Li)Si(SiMe₃)₂C(SiMe₃)R¹R² ( 9 ), which were hydrolized during the aqueous workup to give the H‐silanes (Me₃Si)₂Si(H)Si(SiMe₃)₂C(SiMe₃)R¹R² ( 10 ). Reaction of 9 with chlorotrimethylsilane produced the 1‐trimethylsilylalkylpolysilanes (Me₃Si)₃SiSi(SiMe₃)₂C(SiMe₃)R¹R² ( 11 ). The structures of the products described were elucidated by comprehensive spectral analyses. The results of X‐ray crystal structure analyses, performed for 8 l (R¹ = H, R² = 2,4,6‐(MeO)₃C₆H₂), 10 d (R¹ = H, R² = Mes) and 11 d (R¹ = H, R² = Mes) are discussed and confirm the expected extreme sterical congestion of the molecules.     

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.     

Reaction Mechanism of the Hydrogermylation/Hydrostannylation of Unactivated Alkenes with Two‐Coordinate EII Hydrides (E=Ge,Sn): A Theoretical Study

Quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory with the TPSS+D3(BJ) and M06‐2X+D3(ABC) functionals have been carried out to understand the mechanisms of catalyst‐free hydrogermylation/hydrostannylation reactions between the two‐coordinate hydrido‐tetrylenes :E(H)(L⁺) (E=Ge or Sn, L⁺=N(Ar⁺)(SiiPr₃); Ar⁺=C₆H₂{C(H)Ph₂}₂iPr‐2,6,4) and a range of unactivated terminal (C₂H₃R, R=H, Ph, or tBu) and cyclic [(CH)₂(CH₂)₂(CH₂)_n, n=1, 2, or 4] alkenes. The calculations suggest that the addition reactions of the germylenes and stannylenes to the cyclic and acyclic alkenes occur as one‐step processes through formal [2+2] addition of the E?H fragment across the C?C π bond. The reactions have moderate barriers and are weakly exergonic. The steric bulk of the tetrylene amido groups has little influence on the activation barriers and on the reaction energies of the anti‐Markovnikov pathway, but the Markovnikov addition is clearly disfavored by the size of the substituents. The addition of the tetrylenes to the cyclic alkenes is less exergonic than the addition to the terminal alkenes, which agrees with the experimentally observed reversibility of the former reactions. The hydrogermylation reactions have lower activation energies and are more exergonic than the stannylene addition. An energy decomposition analysis of the transition state for the hydrogermylation of cyclohexene shows that the reaction takes place with simultaneous formation of the Ge?C and (Ge)H?C′ bonds. The dominant orbitals of the germylene are the σ‐type lone pair MO of Ge, which serves as a donor orbital, and the vacant p(π) MO of Ge, which acts as acceptor orbital for the π* and π MOs of the olefin. Inspection of the transition states of some selected reactions suggests that the differences between the activation energies come from a delicate balance between the deformation energies of the interacting species and their interaction energies.