An unusual germole-to-silole transformation is described. As key intermediates hetero-fulvenes are formed which rearrange to more stable bicyclic carbene analogues. The so-formed germylenes undergo a reductive elimination yielding elemental germanium and siloles. In contrast, the analogous silylenes are stable at ambient conditions and were identified by MS spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy supported by the results of quantum mechanical calculations. These bicyclic silylenes are stable derivatives of the global minimum of the C4 Si2 H6 potential energy surface.
Keywords: NMR spectroscopy; carbene analogues; germanium; quantum mechanical calculations; silicon.
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