Activation of H₂ by a Multiply Bonded Amido–Digermyne: Evidence for the Formation of a Hydrido–Germylene

Abstract

The long and the short of it. The first amido–digermyne to possess a short Ge–Ge multiple bond, [LGeGeL], has been prepared and shown to activate H2 below 0 °C, thereby yielding the hydrido–digermene, [L(H)GeGe(H)L]. This possesses a very long GeGe bond. Spectroscopic and theoretical data indicate that the dimer dissociates in solution to give the two-coordinate hydrido–germylene, [:Ge(H)(L)]. L=N(Ar)(SiiPr3), Ar=2,6-[C(H)Ph2]2-4-iPrC6H2.