Polygermane Building Blocks

Abstract

Tetrakis(trimethylgermyl)germane was prepared by the reaction of chlorotrimethylgermane and tetrabromogermane with lithium at −78 °C. Reaction with potassium tert-butoxide/18-crown-6 gave (Me3Ge)3GeK·18-crown-6, which displayed typical reactivity with electrophiles. In the reaction of (Me3Ge)3GeSiMe3 with tert-butoxide/18-crown-6 exclusive attack at the trimethylsilyl group was observed. Attempts to obtain a dimetalated species from (Me3Ge)3GeGe(GeMe3)3 and 2 tert-butoxide/2 18-crown-6 failed due to cleavage of the central Ge−Ge bond. The respective dianion was, however, accessible employing (Me3Si)(Me3Ge)2GeGe(GeMe3)2(SiMe3) as the precursor.