Halogenogermenes: evidence for the formation of the chloro- or fluoro-germenes (Me5C5)(X)GeCR2(CR2= fluorenylidene)

Abstract

The reaction of tert-butyllithium with dichloro- or difluoro-(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)germane led to the corresponding stable lithio compounds which were characterized by reactions with various halides, trimethylsilyltriflate and methanol. The germenes (Me₅C₅)(X)GeCR₂(X = F or Cl, CR₂= fluorenylidene) were obtained by the thermal defluorosilylation of Ge(C₅Me₅)F(X)[C(SiMe₃)R₂] and trapped in excellent yields by methanol, water or chloroform.