A bis(germylene) functionalized metal-coordinated polyphosphide and its isomerization

Abstract

Pentaphosphaferrocene, [Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₅)] (Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅), was used as a polyphosphorus source to obtain germylene–polyphosphide complexes. A stepwise reactivity was observed between the di-germylene, [LGe–GeL] (L = {PhC(N^tBu)₂}), and [Cp*Fe(η⁵-P₅)]. Firstly, reductive homolytic cleavage of the Ge–Ge single bond in [LGe–GeL] led to [(LGe)₂{(μ,η⁴-P₅)FeCp*}]. This complex showed an unprecedented isomerization.