Multiple bonds between main group elements and transition metals, III. Synthesis, <i>X</i>‐ray crystal and molecular structure of μ‐germanium‐bis[dicarbonyl(η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)‐manganese], μ‐Ge‐[(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)Mn(CO)₂]₂

Abstract

Abstract The title compound 3 has been synthesized along the hydride route by treatment of the solvent complex (η 5 ‐C 5 Me 5 )Mn(CO) 2 (THF) (THF = tetrahydrofuran) with monogermane, GeH 4 , in the presence of sulfuric acid. A single‐crystal X ‐Ray structural analysis revealed two conformers of 3 being present in the solid state in a 1:1 ratio ( C 2/ c , monoclinic). Pairs of carbonyl groups almost eclipse each other, while the remaining two CO ligands an exhibit an anti ‐conformation relative to the strictly linear MnGeMn framework. Both enantiomeric conformers are geometrically related by a 180°‐rotation of a (C 5 Me 5 )Mn(CO) 2 fragment around the Mn, Ge, Mn vector. The manganese — germanium bond lenghts average 2.18(2) Å and thus correspond to considerable multiple bonding between these atoms.