New (diarylgermyl)lithiums

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00115a032

The new (diarylgermyl)lithiums R₂GeHLi (2; R = phenyl, mesityl) were prepared in good yields by hydrogermolysis reactions of tert-butyllithium in THF. The stability of compounds 2 depends on the nature of the R group and the solvent. For R = Ph, in the presence of an amine (Et₃N or Et₂NMe), the same reaction leads to the formation of the polygermanes H(GePh₂)_nH (n = 2-4). The characterization of compounds 2 by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and their complexation with a crown ether are also reported. They are characterized by deuterolysis and alkylation reaction (with MeI and Me₂SO₄). Their germylation reactions with Ge-Cl reagents constitute a convenient way for synthesizing organo-hydropolygermanes. Compounds 2 also react with acyl chlorides to give new germyl ketones, R₂HGeCOR′, and the unexpectedly stable β-germyl diketone Ph₂Ge(COMes)₂.