A Coordination Compound of Ge⁰ Stabilized by a Diiminopyridine Ligand

Abstract

Abstract Reduction of the cationic Ge II complex [dimpyrGeCl][GeCl 3 ] (dimpyr=2,6‐(ArN=CMe) 2 NC 5 H 3, Ar=2,6‐ i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 ) with potassium graphite in benzene affords an air sensitive, dark green compound of Ge 0 , [dimpyrGe], which is stabilized by a bis(imino)pyridine platform. This compound is the first example of a complex of a zero‐valent Group 14 element that does not contain a carbene or carbenoid ligand. This species has a singlet ground state. DFT studies revealed partial delocalization of one of the Ge lone pairs over the π*(CN) orbitals of the imines. This delocalization results in a partial multiple‐bond character between the Ge atom and imine nitrogen atoms, a fact supported by the X‐ray crystallography and IR spectroscopy data.