Reactivity of halogermylenes with various transition-metal complexes. The first germylenes with germanium-transition-metal bonds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om50005a003

Halogermylenes react readily with some metal carbonyl dimers (M = Fe, Co, Mn) to give the corresponding insertion adducts that have been isolated. In contrast, similar insertions into M^4B-transition-metal bonds usually lead to unstable adducts that decompose by an α-elimination process to give the first germylenes with germanium-transition-metal bonds. These new divalent germanium species give specific germylenes reactions. Cycloaddition with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene leads to germacyclopentenes and shows an unusual thermal reversibility. Insertion into the cobalt-cobalt bond of Co₂(CO)₈ gives a polymetalated compound.