(Tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl)- and (2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)germylene: Synthesis and structure

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00057a012

(Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)germanium chloride (1) reacts with (tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl)lithium to give (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl)germylene (3) and with (2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)lithium to yield (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)germylene (4). Both germylenes (3 and 4) are monomeric with a fluxional η² bonding between the germanium center and the Me₅C₅ ring. Compound 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with unit cell dimensions a = 9.954 (1) A?, b = 8.759 (2), A?, c = 29.416 (6) A?, β = 95.05 (2)°, and Z = 4. Complex 4 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with unit cell dimensions a = 10.404 (5) A?, b = 13.519 (6) A?, c = 19.203 (10) A?, β = 103.62 (4)°, and Z = 4.