Zinc‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Allylsilanes by Si−H Bond Insertion of Vinyl Carbenoids Generated from Cyclopropenes

Allylsilanes have long been recognized as valuable building blocks for organic synthesis. A zinc‐catalyzed reaction of cyclopropenes and hydrosilanes provides a convenient route to these versatile unsaturated organosilanes. In this transformation, ZnBr₂ serves as an efficient catalyst, allowing the generation of a zinc vinyl carbenoid intermediate, which is subsequently involved in a Si−H bond insertion. The process shows broad scope, and is amenable to substituted and functionalized cyclopropenes or the functionalization of polysiloxanes. Moreover, zinc‐catalyzed carbene insertion into a Ge−H bond is reported for the first time.     

Post‐Synthesis Stabilization of Germanosilicate Zeolites ITH,IWW, and UTL by Substitution of Ge for Al

Germanosilicate zeolites often suffer from low hydrothermal stability due to the high content of Ge. Herein, we investigated the post‐synthesis introduction of Al accompanied by stabilization of selected germanosilicates by degermanation/alumination treatments. The influence of chemical composition and topology of parent germanosilicate zeolites ( ITH , IWW , and UTL ) on the post‐synthesis incorporation of Al was studied. Alumination of ITH (Si/Ge=2–13) and IWW (Si/Ge=3–7) zeolites resulted in the partial substitution of Ge for Al (up to 80 %), which was enhanced with a decrease of Ge content in the parent zeolite. In contrast, in extra‐large pore zeolite UTL (Si/Ge=4–6) the hydrolysis of the interlayer Ge?O bonds dominated over substitution. The stabilization of zeolite UTL was achieved using a novel two‐step degermanation/alumination procedure by the partial post‐synthesis substitution of Ge for Si followed by alumination. This new method of stabilization and incorporation of strong acid sites may extend the utilization of germanosilicate zeolites, which has been until now been limited.     

Colloidal Nanocrystals of Lithiated Group 14 Elements

The synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) of lithiated group 14 elements (Z=Si, Ge, and Sn) is reported, which are Li_4.4Si, Li_3.75Si, Li_4.4Ge, and Li_4.4Sn. Li_xZ compounds are highly reactive and cannot be synthesized by existing methods. The success relied on separating the surface protection from the crystal formation and using a unique passivating ligand. Bare Li_xZ crystals were first produced by milling elemental Li and Z in an argon‐filled jar. Then, under the assistance of additional milling, hexyllithium was added to passivate the freshly generated Li_xZ NCs. This ball‐milling‐assisted surface protection method may be generalized to similar systems, such as Na_xZ and K_xZ. Moreover, Li_4.4Si and Li_4.4Ge NCs were conformally encapsulated in carbon fibers, providing great opportunities for studying the potential of using Li_xZ to mitigate the volume‐fluctuation‐induced poor cyclability problem confronted by Z anodes in lithium‐ion batteries.     

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.     

New stage in living cationic polymerization: An array of effective Lewis acid catalysts and fast living polymerization in seconds

Our recent extensive research on Lewis acid catalysts with a weak base for the cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers led to unprecedented living reaction systems: fast living polymerization within 1–3 s; a wide choice of metal halides containing Al, Sn, Fe, Ti, Zr, Hf, Zn, Ga, In, Si, Ge, and Bi; and heterogeneously catalyzed living polymerization with Fe₂O₃. The use of added bases for the stabilization of the propagating carbocation and the appropriate selection of Lewis acid catalysts were crucial to the success of such new types of living polymerizations. In addition, the base‐stabilized living polymerization allowed the quantitative synthesis of star‐shaped polymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution via polymer‐linking reactions and the precision synthesis and self‐assembly of stimuli‐responsive block copolymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1801–1813, 2007.     

Ab initio Study on Formation Mechanism of Spiro-Si-Heterocyclic Ring Compound Involving Ge from H2Ge=Si: and Formaldehyde

H₂Ge=Si: and its derivatives (X₂Ge=Si:, X=H, Me, F, Cl, Br, Ph, Ar,…) are new species. Its cycloaddition reactions are new area for the study of silylene chemistry. The cycloaddition reaction mechanism of singlet H₂Ge=Si: and formaldehyde has been investigated with the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ method. From the potential energy profile, it could be predicted that the reaction has one dominant reaction pathway. The reaction rule is that two reactants firstly form a four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring silylene through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Because of the 3p unoccupied orbital of Si: atom in the four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring silylene and the π orbital of formaldehyde forming a π→p donor-acceptor bond, the four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring silylene further combines with formaldehyde to form an intermediate. Because the Si: atom in the intermediate undergoes sp³ hybridization after transition state, then the intermediate isomerizes to a spiro-Si-heterocyclic ring compound involving Ge via a transition state. The result indicates the laws of cycloaddition reaction between H₂Ge=Si: or its derivatives (X₂Ge=Si:, X=H, Me, F, Cl, Br, Ph, Ar,…) and asymmetric π-bonded compounds are significant for the synthesis of small-ring involving Si and Ge and spiro-Si-heterocyclic ring compounds involving Ge.     

Silanylidene and Germanylidene Anions: Valence‐Isoelectronic Species to the Well‐Studied Phosphinidene

The reduction of TipMCl₃ (Tip=2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl) (M=Si, Ge) with KC₈ in the presence of cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC) afforded the acyclic silanylidene and germanylidene anions in the form of potassium salt [K(cAAC)MTip]₂ (M=Si ( 1 ); Ge ( 2 )). The silanylidene and germanylidene anions are valence‐isoelectronic to the well‐studied phosphinidene and are a new class of acyclic anions of Group 14. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated and well characterized by NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. Furthermore, the structure and bonding of compounds 1 and 2 was investigated by computational methods.     

Darstellung,Charakterisierung und Struktur funktionalisierter Fluorphosphaalkene des Typs R3E–P=C(F)NEt2 (R/E = Me/Si,Me/Ge,CF3/Ge,Me/Sn)

Preparation, Characterization, and Structure of Functionalized Fluorophosphaalkenes of the Type R₃E–P=C(F)NEt₂ (R/E = Me/Si, Me/Ge, CF₃/Ge, Me/Sn) P‐functionalized 1‐diethylamino‐1‐fluoro‐2‐phosphaalkenes of the type R₃E–P=C(F)NEt₂ [R/E = Me/Si ( 2 ), Me/Ge ( 3 ), CF₃/Ge ( 4 ), Me/Sn ( 5 )] are prepared by reaction of HP=C(F)NEt₂ ( 1 , E/Z = 18/82) with R₃EX (X = I, Cl) in the presence of triethylamine as base, exclusively as Z‐Isomers. 2–5 are thermolabile, so that only the more stable representatives 2 and 4 can be isolated in pure form and fully characterized. 3 and 5 decompose already at temperatures above –10 °C, but are clearly identified by ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR‐measurements. The Z configuration is established on the basis of typical NMR data, an X‐ray diffraction analysis of 4 and ab initio calculations for E and Z configurations of the model compound Me₃Si–P=C(F)NMe₂. The relatively stable derivative 2 is used as an educt for reactions with pivaloyl‐, adamantoyl‐, and benzoylchloride, respectively, which by cleavage of the Si–P bond yield the push/pull phosphaalkenes RC(O)–P=C(F)NEt₂ [R = tBu ( 6 ), Ad ( 7 ), Ph ( 8 )], in which π‐delocalization with the P=C double bond occurs both with the lone pair on nitrogen and with the carbonyl group.     

An Amidinate‐Stabilized Germatrisilacyclobutadiene Ylide

The synthesis and characterization of new amidinate‐stabilized germatrisilacyclobutadiene ylides [L₃Si₃GeL′] (L=PhC(NtBu)₂; L′=ËL; Ë=Ge ( 3 ), Si ( 7 )) are described. Compound 3 was prepared by the reaction of [LSi? SiL] ( 1 ) with one equivalent of [LGe? GeL] ( 2 ) in THF. Compound 7 was synthesized by the reaction of 2 with excess 1 in THF. The bisamidinate germylene [L₂Ge:] ( 4 ) is a by‐product in both reactions. Moreover, compound 7 was prepared by the reaction of 3 with one equivalent of 1 in THF. Compounds 3 and 7 have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and theoretical studies. The results show that compounds 3 and 7 are not antiaromatic. The puckered Si₃Ge four‐membered rings in 3 and 7 have a ylide structure, which is stabilized by amidinate ligands and the electron delocalization within the Si₃Ge four‐membered ring.     

SrNi2Si and BaNi2Si – New Layered Silicides with Fused Nickel Six‐membered Rings in a Boat Conformation

Intermetallic compounds SrNi₂Si and BaNi₂Si were prepared by arc‐melting of stoichiometric mixture of the elements and subsequent annealing in welded niobium ampoules. Both compounds were investigated by X‐ray diffraction on powder as well as single crystal methods. The title compounds both crystallize in the BaNi₂Ge structure type (space group Pmmn, Z = 2), a ternary ordered variant of TiCu₃: a = 4.0296(9) Å, b = 6.5121(14) Å, c = 5.6839(21) Å, R₁ = 0.040 for SrNi₂Si and a = 4.0681(9) Å, b = 6.580(4) Å, c = 5.976(5) Å, R₁ = 0.031 for BaNi₂Si. The structure contains corrugated polyanionic [Ni₂Si]^2– layers, stacked according to the primitive sequence AA along the c axis. Six‐membered Ni rings adopt a boat conformation, silicon atoms are in the plane with nickel, and the alkaline earth cations sit between the layers. These two compounds extend the family AeNi₂X (Ae = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = Si, Ge), where up to date CaNi₂Si, SrNi₂Ge, and BaNi₂Ge are known. LMTO band structure calculations, including DOS, COHP, and ELF were performed to gain more insight into the electronic situation of SrNi₂Si and BaNi₂Si.     

Zintl Clusters as Wet‐Chemical Precursors for Germanium Nanomorphologies with Tunable Composition

[Ge₉]^4? Zintl clusters are used as soluble germanium source for a bottom–up fabrication of Ge nanomorphologies such as inverse opal structures with tunable composition. The method is based on the assembly and oxidation of [Ge₉]^4? clusters in a template mold using SiCl₄, GeCl₄, and PCl₃ leading to Si and P‐containing Ge phases as shown by X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. [Ge₉]^4? clusters are retained using ethylenediamine (en) as a transfer medium to a mold after removal of the solvent if water is thoroughly excluded, but are oxidized to amorphous Ge in presence of water traces. ¹H NMR spectroscopy reveals the oxidative deprotonation of en by [Ge₉]^4?. Subsequent annealing leads to crystalline Ge. As an example for wet‐chemical synthesis of complex Ge nanomorphologies, we describe the fabrication of undoped and P‐doped inverse opal‐structured Ge films with a rather low oxygen contents. The morphology of the films with regular volume porosity is characterized by SEM, TEM, and grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering.     

Ring Opening and Bidentate Coordination of Amidinate Germylenes and Silylenes on Carbonyl Dicobalt Complexes: The Importance of a Slight Difference in Ligand Volume

The reactions of [Co₂(CO)₈] with one equiv of the benzamidinate (R₂bzam) group‐14 tetrylenes [M(R₂bzam)(HMDS)] (HMDS=N(SiMe₃)₂; 1 : M=Ge, R=iPr; 2 : M=Si, R=tBu; 3 : M=Ge, R=tBu) at 20 °C led to the monosubstituted complexes [Co₂{κ¹M?M(R₂bzam)(HMDS)}(CO)₇] ( 4 : M=Ge, R=iPr; 5 : M=Si, R=tBu; 6 : M=Ge, R=tBu), which contain a terminal κ¹M–tetrylene ligand. Whereas the Co₂Si and Co₂Ge tert‐butyl derivatives 5 and 6 are stable at 20 °C, the Co₂Ge isopropyl derivative 4 evolved to the ligand‐bridged derivative [Co₂{μ‐κ²Ge,N‐Ge(iPr₂bzam)(HMDS)}(μ‐CO)(CO)₅] ( 7 ), in which the Ge atom spans the Co?Co bond and one arm of the amidinate fragment is attached to a Co atom. The mechanism of this reaction has been modeled with the help of DFT calculations, which have also demonstrated that the transformation of amidinate‐tetrylene ligands on the dicobalt framework is negligibly influenced by the nature of the group‐14 metal atom (Si or Ge) but is strongly dependent upon the volume of the amidinate N?R groups. The disubstituted derivatives [Co₂{κ¹M?M(R₂bzam)(HMDS)}₂(CO)₆] ( 8 : M=Ge, R=iPr; 9 : M=Si, R=tBu; 10 : M=Ge, R=tBu), which contain two terminal κ¹M–tetrylene ligands, have been prepared by treating [Co₂(CO)₈] with two equiv of 1 – 3 at 20 °C. The IR spectra of 8 – 10 have shown that the basicity of germylenes 1 and 3 is very high (comparable to that of trialkylphosphanes and 1,3‐diarylimidazol‐2‐ylidenes), whereas that of silylene 2 is even higher.     

Metalloxane des Siliciums und Germaniums mit dem 2‐(Dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl‐Liganden (FcN): Darstellung und Molekülstrukturen von (FcN)4M4O4(OH)4(M = Si,Ge), (FcN)6Ge6O8(OH)2 und von (FcN)2Si(OH)2

Metalloxanes of Silicon and Germanium with the 2‐(Dimethylaminomethyl)‐ferrocenyl Ligand (FcN): Synthesis and Molecular Structures of (FcN)₄M₄O₄(OH)₄(M = Si, Ge), (FcN)₆Ge₆O₈(OH)₂ and of (FcN)₂Si(OH)₂ (FcN)₄M₄O₄(OH)₄ · H₂O [FcN = 2‐(dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl, M = Si ( 2 ) und Ge ( 3 )] are prepared by hydrolysis of FcNSiCl₃ or FcNGeCl₃ ( 1 ) in Et₂O in the presence of (NH₄)₂CO₃. The tricyclic compound (FcN)₆Ge₆O₈(OH)₂ ( 4 ) is formed after treatment of the hydrolysis solution of FcNGeCl₃ with CaH₂. (FcN)₂Si(OH)₂ ( 5 ) was sythesized by hydrolysis of (FcN)₂SiCl₂ under similar conditions. Compounds 1 — 5 are obtained as yellow orange crystals, the molecular structures of 1 — 5 were determinated by X‐ray diffraction. 2 and 3 are 8‐membered Si‐O/Ge‐O cycles with one OH and one FcN‐ligand on each Si or Ge atom, respectively. Compound 4 represents a stair‐like tricyclic Ge‐O structure whereas 5 is a discrete Silanediol. 2 — 5 show O‐H···N hydrogene bridges of the OH groups to the nitrogen atoms of the FcN substituents.     

Round‐robin test for the measurement of layer thickness of multilayer films by secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiling

An international round‐robin test (RRT) was performed to investigate a method to determine the interface location and the layer thickness of multilayer films by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling as a preliminary study to develop a new work item proposal in ISO/TC‐201. Two types of reference materials were used in this RRT. A SiGe alloy (Si_52.4Ge_47.6) reference film was used to determine the relative sensitivity factors of Si and Ge. A Si/Ge multilayer reference film was used to determine the relative sputtering rates of the Si and Ge layers. The layer thicknesses were measured from the interfaces determined by a 50 atomic percent definition. Seven laboratories from 5 countries participated in this international RRT. The RRT reference expanded uncertainties for Si and Ge layers in a Si/Ge multilayer with similar thicknesses as the reference film were 0.76 and 1.17 nm, respectively. However, those in a thinner Si/Ge multilayer film were slightly larger at 1.04 and 1.59 nm, respectively. Most of the thickness ratios in the 2 Si/Ge multilayer films were consistent with the RRT reference value within their expanded uncertainties.     

Synthesis and Characterisation of 1‐[9‐(H,Me3Si,Me3Ge,Me3Sn)9‐Fluorenyl]‐3,7,10‐trimethylgermatranes. The Crystal Structure Analysis of 1‐(9‐Fluorenyl)‐3,7,10‐trimethylgermatrane

The title compounds, viz. C₁₃H₈(R)Ge · (OCHMeCH₂)₃N ( 1 : R = H, 2 : R = Me₃Si; 3 : R = Me₃Ge) were prepared as mixtures of diastereomers by the reaction of N(CH₂CHMeOSnAlk₃)₃ ( 7 : Alk = Et; 8 : Alk = Bu) with C₁₃H₈(R)GeBr₃ ( 4 : R = H, 5 : R = Me₃Si; 6 : R = Me₃Ge), respectively. The synthesis of C₁₃H₈(Me₃Sn)Ge · (OCHMeCH₂)₃N ( 13 ) by the reaction of germatrane ( 1 ) with Me₃SnNMe₂ is reported. Identity and structures were established by elemental analyses, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The crystal structure of 1 was determined by X‐ray diffraction methods.     

Zinc-Catalyzed Synthesis of Allylsilanes by Si−H Bond Insertion of Vinyl Carbenoids Generated from Cyclopropenes

Allylsilanes have long been recognized as valuable building blocks for organic synthesis. A zinc-catalyzed reaction of cyclopropenes and hydrosilanes provides a convenient route to these versatile unsaturated organosilanes. In this transformation, ZnBr₂ serves as an efficient catalyst, allowing the generation of a zinc vinyl carbenoid intermediate, which is subsequently involved in a Si−H bond insertion. The process shows broad scope, and is amenable to substituted and functionalized cyclopropenes or the functionalization of polysiloxanes. Moreover, zinc-catalyzed carbene insertion into a Ge−H bond is reported for the first time.     

Intramolecularly‐stabilized Group 14 Alkoxides – Promising Precursors for the Synthesis of Group 14‐Chalcogenides by Hot‐Injection Method

Intramolecularly‐stabilized germanium, tin, and lead alkoxides of the type M(OCH₂CH₂NR₂)₂ [R = Et, M = Ge ( 1 ); R = Me, M = Sn ( 2 ); R = Me, M = Pb ( 3 )] are suitable precursors for the synthesis of group 14 chalcogenides ME (M = Ge, Sn, Pb; E = S, Se, Te) in scrambling reactions with (Me₃Si)₂S and (Et₃Si)₂E (E = Se, Te) at moderate temperatures via hot injection method. The reactions proceed with elimination of the corresponding silylether as was proven by in situ ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The solid‐state structures of the homoleptic complex 1 and the heteroleptic complex ClGe(OC₂H₄NEt₂) ( 4 ) were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, whereas the group 14 chalcogenides were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDX.     

One‐pot synthesis of a new high vinyl content hybrid silica monolith dedicated to nanoliquid chromatography

A new vinyltrimethoxysilane‐based hybrid silica monolith was developed and used as a reversed‐phase capillary column. The synthesis of this rich vinyl hybrid macroporous monolith, by cocondensation of vinyltrimethoxysilane with tetramethoxysilane, was investigated using an unconventional (formamide, nitric acid) porogen/catalyst system. A macroporous hybrid silica monolith with 80% in mass of vinyltrimethoxysilane in the feeding silane solution was obtained and compared to a more conventional low vinyl content hybrid monolith with only of 20% vinyltrimethoxysilane. Monoliths were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and N₂ adsorption–desorption. About 80% of the vinyl precursor was incorporated in the final materials, leading to 15.9 and 61.5% of Si atoms bonded to vinyl groups for 20% vinyltrimethoxysilane and 80% vinyltrimethoxysilane, respectively. The 80% vinyltrimethoxysilane monolith presents a lower surface area than 20% vinyltrimethoxysilane (159 versus 551 m²/g), which is nevertheless compensated by a higher vinyl surface density. Chromatographic properties were evaluated in reversed‐phase mode. Plots of ln(k) versus percentage of organic modifier were used to assess the reversed‐phase mechanism. Its high content of organic groups leads to high retention properties. Column efficiencies of 170 000 plates/m were measured for this 80% vinyltrimethoxysilane hybrid silica monolith. Long capillary monolithic columns (90 cm) were successfully synthesized (N = 120 000).     

Order–disorder phenomena in crystalline phases of compounds E(XMe3)4 where E = C,Si, Ge and X = Si,Sn

We discuss the dynamic solid‐state properties of crystalline phases E(XMe₃)₄ as seen by solid‐state NMR and powder X‐ray diffraction. In the first part we will qualitatively describe some of the NMR tools suitable for such investigations. In the second part we will give examples from the group of solid compounds E(XMe₃)₄ with E = C, Si, Ge and X = Si, Sn. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.