Electronic Properties and Reactivity of an Isolable Phosphagermaheterocyclic Carbene

Abstract

A highly reactive phosphagermacarbene (PGeHC) was synthesized by [3+2] cycloaddition between phosphagermaallene Tip(tBu)GeCPMes* (Tip= 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl; Mes*=2,4,6-tris-tert-butylphenyl) and diphenylketene. It forms complexes with [{Rh(CO)2Cl}2] and Me3P, and undergoes a Wittig-type reaction with diphenylketene (see scheme).