Isopropylgermanes

Abstract

Examination of the complex mixture of products formed from isopropylmagnesium chloride and germanium tetrachloride provides evidence for isomerisation of the Grignard reagent, since both tetra- and tri-isopropyl-n-propylgermane are formed. The Wurtz reaction between chlorotri-isopropylgermane and sodium–potassium alloy gives hexaisopropyldigermane together with products resulting from the cleavage of isopropyl–germanium bonds. Infrared spectra of n-propyl- and isopropyl-germanes are discussed, together with the mass spectra of organo mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-germanes.