Zwitterionic Base‐Stabilized Digermadistannacyclobutadiene and Tetragermacyclobutadiene

The syntheses of a zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene and tetragermacyclobutadiene supported by amidinates and low‐valent germanium amidinate substituents are described. The reaction of the amidinate Ge^I dimer, [LGe:]₂ ( 1 , L=PhC(NtBu)₂), with two equivalents of the amidinate tin(II) chloride, [LSnCl] ( 2 ), and KC₈ in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene, [L₂Ge₂Sn₂L′₂] ( 3 ; L′=LGe:), and the bis(amidinate) tin(II) compound, [L₂Sn:] ( 4 ). Compound 3 can also be prepared by the reaction of 1 with [L^ArSnCl] ( 5 , L^Ar=tBuC(NAr)₂, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) in THF at room temperature. Moreover, the reaction of 1 with the “onio‐substituent transfer” reagent [4‐NMe₂‐C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf ( 8 ) in THF and 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized tetragermacyclobutadiene, [L₄Ge₆] ( 9 ), the amidinium triflate, [PhC(NHtBu)₂]OTf ( 10 ), and Me₃SiSiMe₃ ( 11 ). X‐ray structural data and theoretical studies show conclusively that compounds 3 and 9 have a planar and rhombic charge‐separated structure. They are also nonaromatic.     

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.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a pyridine-stabilized germanone

The first isolable pyridine‐stabilized germanone has been prepared and its reactivity toward trimethylaluminum has been investigated. The germanone adduct results from a stepwise conversion that starts from 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and the ylide‐like N‐heterocyclic germylene LGe: (L=CH{(C?CH₂)(CMe)[N(aryl)]₂}, aryl=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 ) at room temperature, and gives the corresponding germylene–pyridine adduct L(DMAP)Ge: ( 2 ) in 91 % yield. The latter reacts with N₂O at room temperature to form the desired germanone complex L(DMAP)Ge?O ( 3 ) in 73 % yield. The Ge? O distance of 1.646(2) Å in 3 is the shortest hitherto reported for a Ge?O species. The reaction of 3 with trimethylaluminum leads solely to the addition product LGe(Me)O[Al(DMAP)Me₂] ( 4 ). The latter results from insertion of the Ge?O subunit into an Al? Me bond of AlMe₃ and concomitant migration of the DMAP ligand from germanium to the aluminum atom. Compounds 2 – 4 have been fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Their molecular structures have been established by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

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 .     

Square Planar Nickel（II） Complexes with Halogenated o-Diiminobenzosemiquinonato Ligation： Synthesis,Characterization, and Redox Property

Seven square planar bis（o-diiminobenzosemiquinonato）nickel（II） complexes, [Ni（o-C6H4（NH）（NAr））2] （Ar= Mes, 1; p-F-C6H4, 2; p-CI-C6H4, 3）, [Ni（o-4,5-F2-C6H2（NH）（NPh））2] （4）, and [Ni（o-4,5-CIz-C6H2（NH）（NAr））2] （Ar =Ph, 5; 2,6-F2-C6H3, 6; 2,6-C12-C6H3, 7）, have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR, IR, UV-Vis-NIR, elemental analyses, HRMS, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies （1 and 7）. The cyclic voltammograms of these complexes exhibit two reversible redox processes of [NiLe]0n- and [NIL2]l /2 , and one irreversible process of [NiL2]~n＋. Substituent effects on the redox properties of these complexes, in addi- tion with those of the known complexes [Ni（o-C6Ha（NH）（NPh））2] （8） and [Ni（o-3,5-Butz-C6Hz（NH）2）2] （9）, are identified by comparing the half-wave potentials of the reduction waves, as 1 ~ 9 〈 8 ~ 2 〈 3 〈 4 〈 5 〈 7 〈 6, reflect- ing the ease of reduction of [NIL2] parallels the electron-donating and -withdrawing ability of the substituent group. Reduction of 1 with one or two equivalents of sodium metal in THF has led to the isolation of [Na（THF）3][I] and [Na（THF）3]2[1]. The structure data of these two complexes revealed by low-temperature X-ray crystallography suggest their corresponding electronic structures of [Nill（lL-1 ）（IL2-）]1- and [Ni1]（1L2 ）212-, which are in line with those of [9]n （n = 1-, 2-） suggested by spectroelectrochemical study.     

Synthesis and Reactivity Studies of Amido-Substituted Germanium(I)/Tin(I) Dimers and Clusters

Three amide ligands of varying steric bulk and electronic properties were utilized to prepare a series of amido-germanium(II)/tin(II) halide compounds, (LEX)_n, (L= -N{B(DipNCH)₂}(SiMe₃), ^TBoL; -N{B(DipNCH)₂}(SiPh₃), ^PhBoL; -N(Dip)(tBu), ^DBuL; Dip=C₆H₃iPr₂-2,6; E=Ge or Sn; X=Cl or Br; n=1 or 2). Reductions of these with a magnesium(I) dimer, {(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂ (^MesNacnac=[(MesNCMe)₂CH]⁻, Mes=mesityl), afforded singly bonded amido-digermynes (^TBoLGe−Ge^TBoL and ^PhBoLGe−Ge^PhBoL), and an amido-distannyne (^PhBoLSn−Sn^PhBoL), in addition to several low-valent, amido stabilized tetrel–tetrel bonded cluster compounds, (^DBuLGe)₄, (^DBuLSn)₆ and Sn₅(^TBoL)₄. The nature of the products resulting from these reactions was largely dependent on the steric bulk of the amide ligand employed. Cluster (^DBuLGe)₄ possessed an unusual folded butterfly structure, the bonding and electronic of which were examined using DFT calculations. Reactions of the amido-germanium(I) compounds with H₂ were explored, and gave rise to the amido-digermene, ^TBoL(H)Ge=Ge(H)^TBoL and the cyclotetragermane, {^DBuL(H)Ge}₄. Reactions of (^DBuLGe)₄ with a series of unsaturated small molecule substrates yielded ^DBuLGeOGe^DBuL, ^DBuLGe(μ-C₂H₄)₂Ge^DBuL and ^DBuLGe(μ-1,4-C₆H₈)(μ-1,2-C₆H₈)Ge^DBuL. The latter results imply that (^DBuLGe)₄ can act as a masked source of the digermyne ^DBuLGeGe^DBuL in these reactions. All further reactivity studies indicated that the germanium(I) compounds exhibit a “transition-metal-like” behavior, which is closely related to that previously described for bulky digermynes and related compounds.     

Scandium complexes with the tetraphenylethylene and anthracene dianions

The structural study of Sc complexes containing dianions of anthracene and tetraphenylethylene should shed some light on the nature of rare‐earth metal–carbon bonding. The crystal structures of (18‐crown‐6)bis(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)sodium bis(η⁶‐1,1,2,2‐tetraphenylethenediyl)scandium(III) tetrahydrofuran disolvate, [Na(C₄H₈O)₂(C₁₂H₂₄O₆)][Sc(C₂₆H₂₀)₂]·2C₄H₈O or [Na(18‐crown‐6)(THF)₂][Sc(η⁶‐C₂Ph₄)₂]·2(THF), ( 1b ), (η⁵‐1,3‐diphenylcyclopentadienyl)(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)(η⁶‐1,1,2,2‐tetraphenylethenediyl)scandium(III) toluene hemisolvate, [Sc(C₁₇H₁₃)(C₂₆H₂₀)(C₄H₈O)]·0.5C₇H₈ or [(η⁵‐1,3‐Ph₂C₅H₃)Sc(η⁶‐C₂Ph₄)(THF)]·0.5(toluene), ( 5b ), poly[[(μ₂‐η³:η³‐anthracenediyl)bis(η⁶‐anthracenediyl)bis(η⁵‐1,3‐diphenylcyclopentadienyl)tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran)dipotassiumdiscandium(III)] tetrahydrofuran monosolvate], {[K₂Sc₂(C₁₄H₁₀)₃(C₁₇H₁₃)₂(C₄H₈O)₄]·C₄H₈O}_n or [K(THF)₂]₂[(1,3‐Ph₂C₅H₃)₂Sc₂(C₁₄H₁₀)₃]·THF, ( 6 ), and 1,4‐diphenylcyclopenta‐1,3‐diene, C₁₇H₁₄, ( 3a ), have been established. The [Sc(η⁶‐C₂Ph₄)₂]⁻ complex anion in ( 1b ) contains the tetraphenylethylene dianion in a symmetrical bis‐η³‐allyl coordination mode. The complex homoleptic [Sc(η⁶‐C₂Ph₄)₂]⁻ anion retains its structure in THF solution, displaying hindered rotation of the coordinated phenyl rings. The 1D ¹H and ¹³C{¹H}, and 2D COSY ¹H–¹H and ¹³C–¹H NMR data are presented for M[Sc(Ph₄C₂)₂]·xTHF [M = Na and x = 4 for ( 1a ); M = K and x = 3.5 for ( 2a )] in THF‐d₈ media. Complex ( 5b ) exhibits an unsymmetrical bis‐η³‐allyl coordination mode of the dianion, but this changes to a η⁴ coordination mode for (1,3‐Ph₂C₅H₃)Sc(Ph₄C₂)(THF)₂, ( 5a ), in THF‐d₈ solution. A ⁴⁵Sc NMR study of ( 2a ) and UV–Vis studies of ( 1a ), ( 2a ) and ( 5a ) indicate a significant covalent contribution to the Sc—Ph₄C₂ bond character. The unique Sc ate complex, ( 6 ), contains three anthracenide dianions demonstrating both a η⁶‐coordination mode for two bent ligands and a μ₂‐η³:η³‐bridging mode of a flat ligand. Each [(1,3‐Ph₂C₅H₃)₂Sc₂(C₁₄H₁₀)₃]²⁻ dianionic unit is connected to four neighbouring units via short contacts with [K(THF)₂]⁺ cations, forming a two‐dimensional coordination polymer framework parallel to (001).     

Syntheses and Characterization of Samarium and Erbium Borohydrido Complexes Supported by N‐Aryliminopyrrole Ligand

Reaction of potassium salt of N‐aryliminopyrrole ligand [2‐(2, 6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N=CH)–C₄H₃NK] ( 1 ) with samarium tris‐boro‐hydride [Sm(BH₄)₃(THF)₃] gave a samarium ate complex [η²‐{2‐(2, 6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N=CH)–C₄H₃N}₃Sm(η¹‐BH₄){K(THF)₆] ( 2 ); whereas similar treatment with erbium borohydride [Er(BH₄)₃(THF)₃] afforded the mono(iminopyrrolyl) complex [η²‐{2‐(2, 6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N=CH)–C₄H₃N}Er(η³‐BH₄)₂(THF)₂] ( 3 ). In the solid‐state structures, the samarium complex 2 shows a rarely observed η¹ and the erbium complex 3 shows a usual η³ coordination mode of the borohydrido ligand.     

Synthesis of 2‐(N‐arylimino)pyrrolide nickel complexes and polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The synthesis, characterization and methyl methacrylate polymerization behaviors of 2‐(N‐arylimino)pyrrolide nickel complexes are described. The nickel complex [NN]₂Ni ( 1 , [NN] = [2‐C(H)NAr‐5‐tBu‐C₄H₂N]^?, Ar = 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) was prepared in good yield by the reaction of [NN]Li with trans‐[Ni(Cl)(Ph)(PPh₃)₂] in THF. Reaction of [NN]Li with NiBr₂(DME) yielded the nickel bromide [NN]Ni(Br)[NNH] ( 2 ). Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and by X‐ray single crystal analysis. Both complexes, upon activation with methylaluminoxane, are highly active for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate to give high molecular weight polymethylmethacrylate with narrow molecular distributions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

A New Germanium Complex Containing Chelating Pyridinecarboxylate Ligands: cis‐Dihydroxybis(pyridine‐2‐carboxylato‐κN1,κO2)germanium Hydrate (1 : 2) (cis‐[Ge(pyca)2(OH)2]⋅2 H2O)

A new germanium complex, cis‐[Ge(pyca)₂(OH)₂]?2 H₂O ( 1 ; pyca=pyridine‐2‐carboxylato), was synthesized by the reaction of [Ge(acac)₂Cl₂] (acac=acetylacetonato=pentane‐2,4‐dionato) with potassium pyridine‐2‐carboxylate (Kpyca) in H₂O/THF. According to the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, each Ge‐atom of 1 is coordinated by two pyca ligands and two OH^? groups (Fig. 1). These molecules are bonded to each other via a system of H‐bonds resulting in a sheet‐like structure (Fig. 2). The complex is decomposed during heating with stepwise mass loss and formation of GeO₂ as final product (Fig. 3).     

β‐Diketiminatoytterbium aryloxides: synthesis,structural characterization,and catalytic activity for addition of amines to carbodiimides

The steric effect of an aryloxido group on the synthesis and molecular structures of ytterbium aryloxides supported by β‐diketiminato ligand L (L = [N(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)C(Me)]₂CH^?) is reported. Reactions of β‐diketiminatoytterbium dichloride, LYbCl₂(THF)₂, with NaOAr¹ in THF (Ar¹ = [2,6‐^tBu₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂], THF = tetrahydrofuran) at 60°C gave the corresponding ytterbium complexes LYb(OAr¹)Cl(THF) ( 1 ) and LYb(OAr¹)₂ (1), depending on the molar ratio of dichloride to sodium aryloxide, respectively, while the same reactions with NaOAr² and NaOAr³ (Ar² = [2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃], Ar³ = [2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃]) in 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio in THF afforded only bisaryloxide complexes LYb(OAr²)₂(THF) (1) and LYb(OAr³)₂(THF) ( 4 ) in good yields, respectively. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 were fully characterized, including X‐ray crystal structure analyses. All the complexes are efficient pre‐catalysts for the catalytic addition of amines to carbodiimides giving guanidines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthese,Struktur und Eigenschaften von [nacnac]MX3‐Verbindungen (M = Ge,Sn; X = Cl,Br, I)

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of [nacnac]MX₃ Compounds (M = Ge, Sn; X = Cl, Br, I) Reactions of [nacnac]Li [(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)C(H)C(Me)N(2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)]Li ( 1 ) with SnX₄ (X = Cl, Br, I) and GeCl₄ in Et₂O resulted in metallacyclic compounds with different structural moieties. In the [nacnac]SnX₃ compounds (X = Cl 2 , Br 3 , I 4 ) the tin atom is five coordinated and part of a six‐membered ring. The Sn–N‐bond length of 3 is 2.163(4) Å and 2.176(5) Å of 4 . The five coordinated germanium of the [nacnac]GeCl₃ compound 5 shows in addition to the three chlorine atoms further bonds to a carbon and to a nitrogen atom. In contrast to the known compounds with the [nacnac] ligand the afore mentioned reaction creates a carbon–metal‐bond (1.971(3) Å) forming a four‐membered ring. The Ge–N bond length (2.419(2) Å) indicates the formation of a weakly coordinating bond.     

1,1‐Diethyl‐1‐germa‐2,3,4,5‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetraphospholan (C2H5)2Ge(tBuP)4, Molekül‐ und Kristallstruktur

1,1‐Diethyl‐1‐germa‐2,3,4,5‐tetra‐ tert ‐butyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetraphospholane (C₂H₅)₂Ge( t BuP)₄, Molecular and Crystal Structure The reaction of the diphosphide K₂[(tBuP)₄] · THF ( 1 ) with the germanium(IV) compound (C₂H₅)₂GeCl₂ leads via a [4 + 1]‐cyclo‐condensation reaction to 1,1‐diethyl‐1‐germa‐2,3,4,5‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetraphospholane (C₂H₅)₂Ge(tBuP)₄ ( 2 ) with the 5‐membered GeP₄ ring system. 2 could be characterized ³¹P NMR spectroscopically, mass spectrometrically and by a single crystal structure analysis.     

A new entry into aluminum chemistry: [L(1)AlMe]⋅THF, a versatile building block for bimetallic and polymetallic complexes

[L¹AlMe]?THF ( 1 ; L¹=CH[C(CH₂)](CMe)(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)₂) is prepared by a new method to test its reactivity towards metal complexes to give heterobimetallic or polymetallic complexes. The treatment of 1 with germanium chloride ([LGeCl]), tin chloride ([LSnCl]; L=CH(CMe2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N)₂), bismuth amide ([1,8‐C₁₀H₆(NSiMe₃)₂BiNMe₂]), and dimethyl zinc (ZnMe₂) gave the desired compounds with different functional groups on the aluminum center. All compounds have been thoroughly characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, EI mass spectrometry, X‐ray crystallography ( 2 , 3 , and 5 ), and elemental analysis.     

Hexacoordinated spirocyclic germanium(IV) complex: Synthesis and structural characterization

The spiro‐dibenzogermocine [O(o‐C₆H₄S)₂]₂Ge ( 1 ) was prepared in a reaction between O(o‐C₆H₄SH)₂ and Ge(OⁱPr)₄, and its molecular structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction studies. In the solid state, 1 shows the existence of two weak O → Ge transannular interactions, resulting in a hexacoordinated germanium atom that displays the geometry of a distorted bicapped tetrahedron. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 20:45–49, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20510     

Decamethyl­ferrocenium bis­(2‐oxo‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiolato‐κ2S4,S5)nickelate(III) tetra­hydro­furan solvate

The title compound, [Fe(C₁₀H₁₅)₂][Ni(C₃OS₄)₂]·C₄H₈O or [Fe(Cp*)₂][Ni(dmio)₂]·THF, where [Fe(Cp*)₂]⁺ is the deca­methyl­ferrocenium cation, dmio is the 2‐oxo‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiol­ate dianion and THF is tetra­hydro­furan, crystallizes with two independent half‐anion units [one Ni atom is at the centre of symmetry (, , 0) and the other is at the centre of symmetry (, 0, )], one cation unit (located in a general position) and one THF solvent mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. The crystal structure consists of two‐dimensional layers composed of parallel mixed chains, where pairs of cations alternate with single anions. These layers are separated by sheets of anions and THF mol­ecules.     

Derivatives of substituted 3‐trichlorogermylpropionic acid

The central Ge atoms in the structures of 3‐(2‐fluoro­phenyl)‐3‐(tri­phenyl­germyl)­propionic acid, [Ge(C₆H₅)₃(C₉H₈FO₂)], 3‐(2‐tolyl)‐3‐(tri‐4‐tolyl­germyl)­propionic acid, [Ge(C₇H₇)₃(C₁₀H₁₁O₂)], and 3‐(4‐tolyl)‐3‐(tri­benzyl­germyl)­propionic acid, [Ge(C₇H₇)₃(C₁₀H₁₁O₂)], are four‐coordinate with slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry. The Ge—Csp³ distances [1.970 (3)–1.997 (3) Å] are significantly longer than the Ge—C_aromatic distances [1.940 (3)–1.959 (2) Å]. In all three structures, the mol­ecules form dimeric pairs about inversion centres through strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions between carboxyl­ic acid groups.     

Less Is More: Three‐Coordinate C,N‐Chelated Distannynes and Digermynes

We report here the synthesis of new C,N‐chelated chlorostannylenes and germylenes L³MCl (M=Sn( 1 ), Ge ( 2 )) and L⁴MCl (M=Sn( 3 ), Ge ( 4 )) containing sterically demanding C,N‐chelating ligands L^{3, 4} (L³=[2,4‐di‐tBu‐6‐(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₂]^?_; L⁴=[2,4‐di‐tBu‐6‐{(C₆H₃‐2′,6′‐iPr₂)N=CH}C₆H₂]^?). Reductions of 1 – 4 yielded three‐coordinate C,N‐chelated distannynes and digermynes [L^{3, 4}M ]₂ for the first time ( 5 : L³, M=Sn, 6 : L³, M=Ge, 7 : L⁴, M=Sn, 8 : L⁴, M=Ge). For comparison, the four‐coordinate distannyne [L⁵Sn]₂ ( 10 ) stabilized by N,C,N‐chelate L⁵ (L⁵=[2,6‐{(C₆H₃‐2′,6′‐Me₂)N?CH}₂C₆H₃]^?) was prepared by the reduction of chlorostannylene L⁵SnCl ( 9 ). Hence, we highlight the role of donor‐driven stabilization of tetrynes. Compounds 1 – 10 were characterized by means of elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and in the case of 1 , 2 , 5 – 7 , and 10 , also by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The bonding situation in either three‐ or four‐coordinate distannynes 5 , 7 , and 10 was evaluated by DFT calculations. DFT calculations were also used to compare the nature of the metal–metal bond in three‐coordinate C,N‐chelating distannyne [L³Sn]₂ ( 5 ) and related digermyme [L³Ge]₂ ( 6 ).