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.     

A Silyliumylidene Cation Stabilized by an Amidinate Ligand and 4‐Dimethylaminopyridine

The synthesis and reactivity of a silyliumylidene cation stabilized by an amidinate ligand and 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) are described. The reaction of the amidinate silicon(I) dimer [ L Si:]₂ ( 1 ; L =PhC(NtBu)₂) with one equivalent of N‐trimethylsilyl‐4‐dimethylaminopyridinium triflate [4‐NMe₂C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf and two equivalents of DMAP in THF afforded [ L Si(DMAP)]OTf ( 2 ). The ambiphilic character of 2 is demonstrated from its reactivity. Treatment of 2 with 1 in THF afforded the disilylenylsilylium triflate [ L′ ₂( L )Si]OTf ( 3 ; L′ = L Si:) with the displacement of DMAP. The reaction of 2 with [K{HB(iBu)₃}] and elemental sulfur in THF afforded the silylsilylene [ L SiSi(H){(NtBu)₂C(H)Ph}] ( 4 ) and the base‐stabilized silanethionium triflate [ L Si(S)DMAP]OTf ( 5 ), respectively. Compounds 2 , 3 , and 5 have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography.     

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.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Arylation of Arylboronic Acids with Yagupolskii–Umemoto Reagents

A Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki cross‐coupling of arylboronic acids with Yagupolskii–Umemoto reagents was explored. In contrary to trifluoromethylations, the Pd‐catalyzed reaction of R?B(OH)₂ and [Ar₂SCF₃]⁺[OTf]^? provided the arylation products (R?Ar) in good to high yields. The reaction confirms that the S?Ar bonds of [Ar₂SCF₃]⁺[OTf]^? can be readily cleaved in the presence of Pd complexes. The relatively electron‐poor aryl groups of asymmetric [Ar¹Ar²SCF₃]⁺[OTf]^? salts are more favorably transferred compared to the electron‐rich ones. This reaction represents the first report of utilization of [Ar₂SCF₃]⁺[OTf]^? as arylation reagents in organic synthesis.     

Aluminium(III) amidinates formed from reactions of `AlCl' with lithium amidinates

The disproportionation of AlCl(THF)_n (THF is tetrahydrofuran) in the presence of lithium amidinate species gives aluminium(III) amidinate complexes with partial or full chloride substitution. Three aluminium amidinate complexes formed during the reaction between aluminium monochloride and lithium amidinates are presented. The homoleptic complex tris(N,N′‐diisopropylbenzimidamido)aluminium(III), [Al(C₁₃H₁₉N₂)₃] or Al{PhC[N(i‐Pr)]₂}₃, (I), crystallizes from the same solution as the heteroleptic complex chloridobis(N,N′‐diisopropylbenzimidamido)aluminium(III), [Al(C₁₃H₁₉N₂)₂Cl] or Al{PhC[N(i‐Pr)]₂}₂Cl, (II). Both have two crystallographically independent molecules per asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2) and (I) shows disorder in four of its N(i‐Pr) groups. Changing the ligand substituent to the bulkier cyclohexyl allows the isolation of the partial THF solvate chloridobis(N,N′‐dicyclohexylbenzimidamido)aluminium(III) tetrahydrofuran 0.675‐solvate, [Al(C₁₉H₂₇N₂)₂Cl]·0.675C₄H₈O or Al[PhC(NCy)₂]₂Cl·0.675THF, (III). Despite having a twofold rotation axis running through its Al and Cl atoms, (III) has a similar molecular structure to that of (II).     

From a Phosphaketenyl‐Functionalized Germylene to 1,3‐Digerma‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene

The first 4π‐electron resonance‐stabilized 1,3‐digerma‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene [L^H₂Ge₂P₂] 4 (L^H=CH[CHNDipp]₂ Dipp=2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) with four‐coordinate germanium supported by a β‐diketiminate ligand and two‐coordinate phosphorus atoms has been synthesized from the unprecedented phosphaketenyl‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic germylene [L^HGe‐P=C=O] 2 a prepared by salt‐metathesis reaction of sodium phosphaethynolate (P≡C?ONa) with the corresponding chlorogermylene [L^HGeCl] 1 a . Under UV/Vis light irradiation at ambient temperature, release of CO from the P=C=O group of 2 a leads to the elusive germanium–phosphorus triply bonded species [L^HGe≡P] 3 a , which dimerizes spontaneously to yield black crystals of 4 as isolable product in 67 % yield. Notably, release of CO from the bulkier substituted [L^tBuGe‐P=C=O] 2 b (L^tBu=CH[C(^tBu)N‐Dipp]₂) furnishes, under concomitant extrusion of the diimine [Dipp‐NC(^tBu)]₂, the bis‐N,P‐heterocyclic germylene [DippNC(^tBu)C(H)PGe]₂ 5 .     

Lanthanide(II) Complexes of the Dihydrotriazinido Ligand [N{C(Ph)=N}2C(tBu)Ph]−

The potassium dihydrotriazinide K(L^Ph,tBu) ( 1 ) was obtained by a metal exchange route from [Li(L^Ph,tBu)(THF)₃] and KOtBu (L^Ph,tBu = [N{C(Ph)=N}₂C(tBu)Ph]). Reaction of 1 with 1 or 0.5 equivalents of SmI₂(thf)₂ yielded the monosubstituted Sm^II complex [Sm(L^Ph,tBu)I(THF)₄] ( 2 ) or the disubstituted [Sm(L^Ph,tBu)₂(THF)₂] ( 3 ), respectively. Attempted synthesis of a heteroleptic Sm^II amido‐alkyl complex by the reaction of 2 with KCH₂Ph produced compound 3 due to ligand redistribution. The Yb^II bis(dihydrotriazinide) [Yb(L^Ph,tBu)₂(THF)₂] ( 4 ) was isolated from the 1:1 reaction of YbI₂(THF)₂ and 1 . Molecular structures of the crystalline compounds 2 , 3· 2C₆H₆ and 4· PhMe were determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

(Tetragermacyclobutadiene)ruthenium tricarbonyl [η4-(But 2MeSi)4Ge4]Ru(CO)3

Tetrakis(di-tert-butylmethylsilyl)tetragermacyclobutadiene]ruthenium tricarbonyl [η⁴-(Bu^t ₂MeSi)₄Ge₄]Ru(CO)₃ is synthesized. This analogue of well-known cyclobutadiene transition metal complexes bears a tetragermacyclobutadiene derivative as ligand. The structure and spectroscopic parameters of the complex are compared with those of its iron-containing analogue [η⁴-(Bu^t ₂MeSi)₄Ge₄]Fe(CO)₃. Based on experimental data and results of quantum chemical calculations, it is shown that the π-donating ability of ligands increases upon replacement of carbon atoms in the cyclobutadiene moiety by silicon or germanium atoms, tetrasilacyclobutadiene and tetragermacyclobutadiene being comparable in π-donating activity.     

Facile Access to NaOC≡As and Its Use as an Arsenic Source To Form Germylidenylarsinidene Complexes

A facile, one‐pot synthesis of [Na(OC≡As)(dioxane)_x ] (x =2.3–3.3) in 78 % yield is reported through the reaction of arsine gas with dimethylcarbonate in the presence of NaO^t Bu and 1,4‐dioxane. It has been employed for the synthesis of the first arsaketenyl‐functionalized germylene [LGeAsCO] ( 2 , L=CH[CMeN(Dipp)]₂; Dipp=2,6‐ⁱ Pr₂C₆H₃) from the reaction with LGeCl ( 1 ). Upon exposure to ambient light, 2 undergoes CO elimination to form the 1,3‐digerma‐2,4‐diarsacyclobutadiene [L₂Ge₂As₂] ( 3 ), which contains a symmetric Ge₂As₂ ring with ylide‐like Ge=As bonds. Remarkably, the CO ligand located at the arsenic center of 2 can be exchanged with PPh₃ or an N‐heterocyclic carbene ^{i Pr}NHC donor (^{i Pr}NHC=1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) to afford the novel germylidenylarsinidene complexes [LGe‐AsPPh₃] ( 4 ) and [LGe‐As(^{i Pr}NHC)] ( 5 ), respectively, demonstrating transition‐metal‐like ligand substitution at the arsinidene‐like As atom. The formation of 2 – 5 and their electronic structures have been studied by DFT calculations.     

Reactivity of a N-Coordinated Germylene-Borane Complex: From Ge→B to Ge→Ga Coordination

Reactivity studies of the Ge^II→B complex L(Cl)Ge⋅BH₃ ( 1 ; L=2-Et₂NCH₂-4,6-tBu₂-C₆H₂) were performed to determine the effect on the Ge^II→B donation. N-coordinated compounds L(OtBu)Ge⋅BH₃ ( 2 ) and [LGe⋅BH₃]₂ ( 3 ) were prepared. The possible tuning of the Ge^II→B interaction was proved experimentally, yielding compounds 1-PPh₂-8-(LGe)-C₁₀H₆ ( 4 ) and L(Cl)Ge⋅GaCl₃ ( 5 ) without a Ge^II→B interaction. In 5 , an unprecedented Ge^II→Ga coordination was revealed. The experimental results were complemented by a theoretical study focusing on the bonding in 1 − 5 . The different strength of the Ge^II→E (E=B, Ga) donation was evaluated by using energy decomposition analysis. The basicity of different L(X)Ge groups through proton affinity is also assessed.     

Syntheses and X‐Ray Structures of Zinc Amidinate Complexes

Reactions of ZnX₂ (X = Cl, Br) with equimolar amounts of Li[t‐BuC(NR)₂] (R = i‐Pr, Cy) yielded mono‐amidinate complexes [{t‐BuC(NR)₂}ZnX]₂ (X = Cl, R = i‐Pr 1 , Cy 2 ; X = Br, R = i‐Pr 3 , Cy 4 ), whereas reactions with two equivalents of Li‐amidinate resulted in the formation of the corresponding bis‐amidinate complexes [t‐BuC(NR)₂]₂Zn (R = i‐Pr 5 , Cy 6 ). 1 ‐ 6 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, mass and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C), and single crystal X‐ray analysis ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ). In addition, the single crystal X‐ray structure of [t‐BuC(NCy)₂]ZnBr·LiBr(OEt₂)₂ 7 , which was obtained as a byproduct in low yield from re‐crystallization experiments of 4 in Et₂O, is reported.     

Titanium(IV) and Zirconium(IV) Sulfato Complexes Containing the Kläui Tripodal Ligand: Molecular Models of Sulfated Metal Oxide Surfaces

Treatment of titanyl sulfate in about 60 mM sulfuric acid with NaL_OEt (L_OEt^?=[(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Co{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]^?) afforded the μ‐sulfato complex [(L_OEtTi)₂(μ‐O)₂(μ‐SO₄)] ( 2 ). In more concentrated sulfuric acid (>1 M ), the same reaction yielded the di‐μ‐sulfato complex [(L_OEtTi)₂(μ‐O)(μ‐SO₄)₂] ( 3 ). Reaction of 2 with HOTf (OTf=triflate, CF₃SO₃) gave the tris(triflato) complex [L_OEtTi(OTf)₃] ( 4 ), whereas treatment of 2 with Ag(OTf) in CH₂Cl₂ afforded the sulfato‐capped trinuclear complex [{(L_OEt)₃Ti₃(μ‐O)₃}(μ₃‐SO₄){Ag(OTf)}][OTf] ( 5 ), in which the Ag(OTf) moiety binds to a μ‐oxo group in the Ti₃(μ‐O)₃ core. Reaction of 2 in H₂O with Ba(NO₃)₂ afforded the tetranuclear complex (L_OEt)₄Ti₄(μ‐O)₆ ( 6 ). Treatment of 2 with [{Rh(cod)Cl}₂] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene), [Re(CO)₅Cl], and [Ru(tBu₂bpy)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] (tBu₂bpy=4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐dipyridyl) in the presence of Ag(OTf) afforded the heterometallic complexes [(L_OEt)₂Ti₂(O)₂(SO₄){Rh(cod)}₂][OTf]₂ ( 7 ), [(L_OEt)₂Ti(O)₂(SO₄){Re(CO)₃}][OTf] ( 8 ), and [{(L_OEt)₂Ti₂(μ‐O)}(μ₃‐SO₄)(μ‐O)₂{Ru(PPh₃)(tBu₂bpy)}][OTf]₂ ( 9 ), respectively. Complex 9 is paramagnetic with a measured magnetic moment of about 2.4 μ_B. Treatment of zirconyl nitrate with NaL_OEt in 3.5 M sulfuric acid afforded [(L_OEt)₂Zr(NO₃)][L_OEtZr(SO₄)(NO₃)] ( 10 ). Reaction of ZrCl₄ in 1.8 M sulfuric acid with NaL_OEt in the presence Na₂SO₄ gave the μ‐sulfato‐bridged complex [L_OEtZr(SO₄)(H₂O)]₂(μ‐SO₄) ( 11 ). Treatment of 11 with triflic acid afforded [(L_OEt)₂Zr][OTf]₂ ( 12 ), whereas reaction of 11 with Ag(OTf) afforded a mixture of 12 and trinuclear [{L_OEtZr(SO₄)(H₂O)}₃(μ₃‐SO₄)][OTf] ( 13 ). The Zr^IV triflato complex [L_OEtZr(OTf)₃] ( 14 ) was prepared by reaction of L_OEtZrF₃ with Me₃SiOTf. Complexes 4 and 14 can catalyze the Diels–Alder reaction of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene with acrolein in good selectivity. Complexes 2 – 5 , 9 – 11 , and 13 have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography.     

Facile synthesis of zwitterionic organoaluminum complexes containing formally dianionic homoscorpionate ligands

A series of zwitterionic aluminum complexes of the type AlX[(2‐O‐3,5‐tBu₂C₆H₂)₃PZ] (AlX [O₃PZ]; X = Cl, Me, Et, and iBu; Z = H, Me) containing C₃‐symmetric, formally dianionic, facially tridentate ligands [O₃PZ]^2? were prepared and structurally characterized. Although serendipitous, these complexes can be readily synthesized by partial protonolysis of AlX₃ with equal molar (2‐HO‐3,5‐tBu₂C₆H₂)₃P (H₃[O₃P]) or [(2‐HO‐3,5‐tBu₂C₆H₂)₃p.m.e](OTf) ({H₃[O₃PMe]}OTf) in THF at 25°C or elevated temperatures. Alcoholysis of AlMe[O₃PMe] ( 2 ) with an excess amount of MeOH in refluxing toluene generates AlOMe[O₃PMe] ( 10 ). Salt metathesis of AlCl[O₃PMe] ( 6 ) with nBuM (M = Li, MgCl) and NaOR (R = tBu, Ph) in ethereal solutions affords AlnBu[O₃PMe] ( 9 ) and AlOR[O₃PMe] (R = tBu ( 11 ), Ph ( 12 )), respectively. Reactivity of 10 , 11 , and 12 with respect to catalytic ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone is assessed.     

Unexpected Photodegradation of a Phosphaketenyl‐Substituted Germyliumylidene Borate Complex

The first zwitterionic borata‐bis(NHC)‐stabilized phosphaketenyl germyliumylidene [(L₂(O=C=P)Ge:] 2 (L₂=(p ‐tolyl)₂B[1‐(1‐adamantyl)‐3‐yl‐2‐ylidene]₂) has been synthesized by salt‐metathesis reaction of [L₂(Cl)Ge:] 1 with sodium phosphaethynolate [(dioxane)_n NaOCP]. Unexpectedly, its exposure to UV light affords, after reductive elimination of the entire PCO group, the unprecedented [L₂Ge‐GeL₂] complex 3 in 54 % yields bearing the Ge₂²⁺ ion with Ge in the oxidation state +1. In addition, the 1,3‐digermylium‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene [L₂Ge(μ‐P)₂GeL₂] 4 and bis(germyliumylidenyl)‐substituted diphosphene [(L₂Ge‐P=P‐GeL₂)] 5 could also be obtained in moderate yields. The formation of 3 – 5 and their electronic structures have been elucidated with DFT calculations.     

Lactide polymerization activity of alkoxide,phenoxide, and amide derivatives of yttrium(III) arylamidinates

In quest of new, single‐site catalysts for cyclic ester polymerizations, a series of mononuclear yttrium(III) complexes of N,N′‐bis(trimethylsilyl)benzamidinate ([L^TMS]⁻) and hindered N,N′‐bis‐(2,6‐dialkylaryl)toluamidinates ([L^Et]⁻, aryl = Et₂C₆H₃, and [L^iPr]⁻, aryl = ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction: LY(μ‐Cl)₂Li(TMEDA) ( 1 ), LY(OC₆H₂^tBu₂Me) ( 2 ), LY(OC₆H₃Me₂)₂Li(THF)₄ ( 3 ), LY(μ‐O^tBu)₂Li(THF) ( 4 ), L^iPrY[N(SiMe₂H)₂]₂(THF) ( 5 ), LY(THF)(Cl)(μ‐Cl)Li(THF)₃ ( 6 ), and LY[N(SiMe₂H)₂] ( 7 ). Coordination numbers ranging from five to seven were observed, and they appeared to be controlled by the steric bulk of the supporting amidinate and alkoxide, phenoxide, or amide coligands. Complexes 2 – 5 and 7 are active catalysts for the polymerization of D,L ‐lactide (e.g., with 2 and added benzyl alcohol, 1000 equiv of D,L ‐lactide were polymerized at room temperature in less than 1 h, with polydispersities less than 1.5). The neutral complexes 2 , 5 , and 7 were more effective than the anionic complexes 3 and 4 . In addition, the presence of the more hindered amidinate ligands [L^Et]⁻ and [L^iPr]⁻ on yttrium‐amides slowed the polymerizations ( 7 < 5 < Y[N(SiMe₂H)₂]₃). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 284–293, 2001     

Synthese und Struktur von Sr6P8‐Polyedern in gemischten Phosphaniden/Phosphandiiden des Strontiums

Synthesis and Structures of Sr₆P₈ Polyhedra in Mixed Phosphanides/Phosphandiides of Strontium The strontiation of H₂PSiⁱPr₃ ( 1 ) with (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF yields colorless tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)strontium bis(triisopropylsilylphosphanide) ( 3 ). The central alkaline earth metal atom has an octahedral environment with the phosphanide ligands in trans position. The homometalation in toluene leads to the elimination of 1 and THF. Cooling of this solution gives crystals of colorless tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)hexastrontium‐tetrakis(triisopropylsilylphosphanide)‐tetrakis(triisopropylsilylphosphandiide) ( 4 ). The equimolar reaction of H₂PSi^tBu₃ ( 2 ) with (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in toluene yields in the first step heteroleptic dimeric {(Me₃Si)₂NSr(THF)₂[P(H)Si^tBu₃]}₂ ( 5 )₂. This compounds monomerizes in THF to (Me₃Si)₂N–Sr(THF)₄[P(H)Si^tBu₃] ( 6 ), which forms an equilibrium with the homoleptic dismutation products (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and (THF)₄Sr[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₂ ( 7 ). Compound ( 5 )₂ undergoes a intramolecular strontiation and bis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)hexastrontium‐tetrakis[tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphanide]‐tetrakis[tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphandiide] ( 8 ) is isolated. The central Sr₆P₈‐polyhedra of 4 and 8 are very similar.     

Enhancing the Variability of [Ge9] Cluster Chemistry through Phosphine Functionalization

The synthetic approach towards molecules that contain Ge atoms with oxidation state 0, and which are exclusively connected to other Ge atoms, is explored by using anionic clusters extracted from binary solids. Besides providing a novel variable method for the introduction of alkenyl moieties to [Ge₉] cluster compounds, this work expands the spectrum of mixed-functionalized [Ge₉] cluster anions, which are suitable for the straightforward synthesis of zwitterionic compounds upon coordination to metal cations. In detail, the synthesis of a series of mixed-functionalized [Ge₉] clusters is reported, including [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₃PRR^I] (R=tBu, R^I=(CH₂)₃CH=CH₂; 2 ) and [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂PRR^I]⁻ (R and R^I: alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aminoalkyl; 3 a to 11 a , TMS: (trimethyl)silyl). In 2 and 3 a , pentenyl functionalization of the [Ge₉] clusters was achieved by reaction of the novel chlorophosphine tBu{(CH₂)₃CH=CH₂}PCl ( 1 ) with silylated [Ge₉] clusters. Furthermore, the reactivity of the cluster anions 3 a to 11 a towards NHC^DippMCl (NHC^Dipp=1,3-di(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolylidine; M=Cu, Ag) showed a dependency on the steric demand of the phosphine either zwitterions ( 3 -MNHC^Dipp to 7 -MNHC^Dipp) featuring P–M interactions are formed, or Ge–M coordination ( 8 -MNHC^Dipp to 11 -MNHC^Dipp) occurs. For M=Ag, the formation of zwitterionic complexes was unequivocally proven by NMR investigations showing ¹J(³¹P-¹⁰⁷Ag/¹⁰⁹Ag) spin-spin coupling.     

Group II Metal Complexes of the Germylidendiide Dianion Radical and Germylidenide Anion

The two‐electron reduction of a Group 14‐element(I) complex [RË?] (E=Ge, R=supporting ligand) to form a novel low‐valent dianion radical with the composition [RË:]^{. 2?} is reported. The reaction of [LGeCl] ( 1 , L=2,6‐(CH?NAr)₂C₆H₃, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with excess calcium in THF at room temperature afforded the germylidenediide dianion radical complex [LGe]^{. 2?}?Ca(THF)₃²⁺ ( 2 ). The reaction proceeds through the formation of the germanium(I) radical [LGe?], which then undergoes a two‐electron reduction with calcium to form 2 . EPR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and theoretical studies show that the germanium center in 2 has two lone pairs of electrons and the radical is delocalized over the germanium‐containing heterocycle. In contrast, the magnesium derivative of the germylidendiide dianion radical is unstable and undergoes dimerization with concurrent dearomatization to form the germylidenide anion complex [C₆H₃‐2‐{C(H)?NAr}Ge‐Mg‐6‐{C(H)‐NAr}]₂ ( 3 ).     

Preparation of Hydride‐Ethylene Complexes of Osmium

Ethylene complexes [OsH(η²‐CH₂=CH₂)L₄]Y ( 1 , 2 ) [L = PPh(OEt)₂, P(OEt)₃; Y = OTf, BPh₄] were prepared by reacting the dihydride OsH₂L₄ first with methyl triflate CH₃OTf and then with ethylene (1 atm). Alternatively, the compound [OsH(η²‐CH₂=CH₂){PPh(OEt)₂}₄]OTf was prepared by allowing the dinitrogen derivative [OsH(N₂){PPh(OEt)₂}₄]OTf to react with ethylene. Acrylonitrile CH₂=C(H)CN reacts with OsH(OTf)L₄ [L = P(OEt)₃] to give the complex [OsH{κ¹‐NCC(H)=CH₂}{P(OEt)₃}₄]BPh₄ ( 3 ). The complexes were characterized spectroscopically (IR and ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR) and by X‐ray crystal structure determination of the [OsH(η²‐CH₂=CH₂){PPh(OEt)₂}₄]BPh₄ derivative.     

Isolation and Structure of Germylene‐Germyliumylidenes Stabilized by N‐Heterocyclic Imines

The ditopic germanium complex FGe(NIPr)₂Ge[BF₄] ( 3 [BF₄]; IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) is prepared by the reaction of the amino(imino)germylene (Me₃Si)₂NGeNIPr ( 1 ) with BF₃?OEt₂. This monocation is converted into the germylene‐germyliumylidene 3 [BAr^F₄] [Ar^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂‐C₆H₃] by treatment with Na[BAr^F₄]. The tetrafluoroborate salt 3 [BF₄] reacts with 2 equivalents of Me₃SiOTf to give the novel complex (OTf)(GeNIPr)₂[OTf] ( 4 [OTf]), which affords 4 [BAr^F₄] and 4 [Al(OR^F)₄] [R^F=C(CF₃)₃] after anion exchange with Na[BAr^F₄] or Ag[Al(OR^F)₄], respectively. The computational, as well as crystallographic study, reveals that 4 ⁺ has significant bis(germyliumylidene) dication character.