The synthesis of some (pentafluorophenyl)germanium compounds

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)germanium bromide reacts with lithium aluminium hydride or triethylgermane to give tris(pentafluorophenyl)germane. On reaction with HgR₂ [where R = Et, Et₃Ge and (Me₃Si)₂N] or reaction with diethylcadmium, the latter gave the hitherto unknown [(C₆F₅)₃Ge]₂Hg or [(C₆F₅)₃Ge]₂Cd. The germylmercurial compound could also be prepared by reaction of metallic mercury with [(C₆F₅)₃Ge]₂Cd and by exchange of bis(triethylgermyl)mercury with (C₆F₅)₃GeBr. Some reactions of bis[tris(pentafluorophenyl)germyl]mercury are discussed.