All-metallagermoxane with an adamantanoid cage structure: [(Cp*Ru(CO)2Ge)4(μ-O)6] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5)

Abstract

In an attempt to synthesize a zero valent germanium compound, we have carried out the reaction of [(Cp*RuCO)(GeCl₂)]₂, 1 with potassium metal that led to the formation of a metallagermoxane [(Cp*Ru(CO)₂Ge)₄(μ-O)₆], 2. Compound 2 is the first example of a tetrametallagermoxane with an exo-{Cp*Ru(CO)₂} fragment. DFT calculations were used to examine the key intermediates associated with the formation of 2.