Transition-metal carbonyl derivatives of the germanes. Part 18. Tetracarbonylbis(permethylgermyl)iron compounds [Fe(CO)4(GeMe3 –xHx)(GeMe3 –yHy)] for x,y= 0–3

Abstract

The syntheses of the new mixed-germyl compounds [Fe(CO)₄(GeH₃)(GeMeH₂)], [Fe(CO)₄(GeH₃)(GeMe₂H)], [Fe(CO)₄(GeMeH₂)(GeMe₂H)], [Fe(CO)₄(GeMeH₂)(GeMe₃)], and [Fe(CO)₄(GeMe₂H)(GeMe₃)] have been examined. The tendency to eliminate a methylgermane (derived from the substituted germyl group with the largest number of methyls) and condense to four-membered ring Ge₂Fe₂ compounds increases rapidly with increasing numbers of Me groups. Spectroscopic properties, and the condensation behaviour, were compared with those of known members of the family, including new measurements on the latter. The comparison supports the identifications, even of the very short-lived pentamethyl compound.