Alkylation of germanium halides by aluminium alkyls

Abstract

The alkylation of germanium tetrachloride by trimethylaluminium, methylaluminium sesquichloride, triethylaluminium, and tri-isobutylaluminium has been examined. Tetra-alkylgermanes are formed together with di- and poly-germanes, GenR2n+2. In all cases the monoalkylation of GeCl4 is slow, and the formation of reactive Ge·Al intermediates is postulated to account for the formation of digermanes. Germanium di-iodide and Me3Al give non-cyclic oligomers with Me3Ge end groups, including Me12Ge5, Me14Ge6, and Me16Ge7.