A palladadigermetane: Palladium-catalyzed insertion reactions of digermiranes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00111a037

The palladium-catalyzed reactions of digermirane 1 with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and acetylene give the ring expansion products 2 and 3. Reaction with methyl acrylate gives the rearranged product 4. In the stoichiometric reaction of 1 with Pd(PPh₃)₄, palladadigermetane 6 is isolated as a stable compound. 6 reacts with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, acetylene, and methyl acrylate to yield 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The similar palladium-catalyzed reactions of thia- and selenadigermiranes 9 and 10 with acetylene give the ring expansion products 11 and 12, respectively.