Yttrium germole dianion complexes with Y–Ge bonds

Abstract

The reactions of dipotassium 3,4-dimethyl-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-germole dianion K₂[1] with YCl₃ and Cp*YCl₂ (Cp* = cyclopentadienyl) in THF at room temperature afforded the dianion salt [(K-cryptand-222)₂][1-YCl₃] (K₂[2]) and the dimeric complex [1-Y-Cp*]₂ (3), respectively. While the polymeric complex {[(1)₂-Y-K(toluene)]₂}_n (4) was obtained from the reaction of K₂[1] and half molar equivalent of YCl₃(THF)_3.5 in toluene at 80 °C. The germole dianions in complexes 3 and 4 feature η⁵/η¹ coordination interactions with the yttrium atoms. They represent the first examples of rare earth (RE) complexes containing RE–Ge bonds other than the RE–GeR₃ structural type.