Redox reactions of GeII and SnII dihalides with triethylsilane and triethylgermane

Dihalogermylenes, dihalostannylenes, and their complexes (EI₂, ECl₂·dioxane, and (CO)₅W=ECl₂·THF, where E = Ge or Sn), unlike organylgermylenes, are not inserted at the Si—H (Ge—H) bond of triethylsilane (triethylgermane). The reactions of SnI₂, ECl₂·dioxane, and (CO)₅W=ECl₂·THF (E = Ge or Sn) with Et3E"H (E" = Si or Ge) occur as redox processes. Depending on the nature of the reagents, the reactions afford products of oxidative coupling (Et₃SiSiEt₃) and/or haloiodination (Et₃SiX and Et₃GeX) of triethylsilane (triethylgermane). The proposed mechanism of these reactions involves the electron transfer to form radical-ion pairs.