A Redox-Active Bis(ferrocenyl)germylene and Its Reactivity

Abstract

Bis(ferrocenyl)germylene Fc*₂ Ge: [2; Fc*=2,5-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-1-ferrocenyl] was isolated in the form of red crystals from the reaction of the sterically demanding ferrocenyl lithium dimer (Fc*Li)₂ and GeI₂ . Bis(ferrocenyl)germylene 2 exhibits extraordinary thermal stability in hydrocarbon solution and the solid state, as well as stable redox behavior. Moreover, it undergoes a ligand-redistribution reaction with GeCl₂ ⋅(dioxane) to afford the corresponding chlorogermylene, which was isolated upon coordination with PBu₃ .

Keywords: X-ray crystallography; bulky substituents; electrochemical properties; ferrocenyl group; germylene.