Self‐Assembly of N‐Heterocyclic Derivatives of Divalent Germanium,Tin, and Lead

A new class of exceptionally stable asymmetric N‐heterocyclic germylenes, stannylenes, and plumbylenes has been successfully isolated and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Their stability results from tetrameric supramolecular aggregation through strong intermolecular N_py→E^II (E=Ge, Sn, Pb) interactions involving the nitrogen atom of a neighboring pyridine moiety. The electronic structures and stabilities of the prepared divalent derivatives of Ge, Sn, and Pb in monomeric and aggregated forms are discussed based on theoretical investigations.