Reactions of organodigermanes

Abstract

Electrophilic attack by CX₃CO₂H (X = Cl or F) on Ge₂Ph₆ cleaves either 1 or 2 phenyl groups forming [Ge₂Ph₅-(OCOCX₃) and GePh₂(OCOCX₃)]₂ which are readily converted into the corresponding halides, Ge₂Ph₅X and (GePh₂X)₂. Both the diesters and dihalides are susceptible to hydrolysis with nucleophilic cleavage of the Ge–Ge bond. A mass spectroscopic study of these compound is reported.