Alkyl- and aryl-sulphinylmethylgermanium compounds Ph3GeCH2S( O)R: Structure of Ph3GeCH2S( O)C6H4tBu-p

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(96)06140-2

Triphenyl[(organosulphinyl)methyl]germanium compounds [Ph₃GeCH₂S(O)R: 1 R = Me, C₆H₄X-p, X = H, Me or ^tBu] have been prepared by oxidation of the corresponding sulphido compounds, Ph₃GeCH₂SR, with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Further oxidation of 1 by m-ClC₆H₄CO₃H produces the corresponding sulphones, Ph₃GeCH₂S(O)₂R. Compounds (1 R = Me or C₆H₄^tBu-p) are extensively decomposed on heating to 170°C. A crystal structure determination of (1 R = C₆H₄^tBu) indicated it to be a molecular species with a tetrahedral geometry at germanium. The S - O bond is twisted out of the plane of the attached aryl ring by 7.0(3)°.