Disilagermirene and Silagermasilirene: from a Stable Disilene to a Stable Germasilene

Abstract

The reaction of 2,2,2-tribromo-1-methyl-1,1-di(tert-butyl)disilane and bis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)silyl](dichloro)germane with sodium in toluene at room temperature has produced tetrakis[di-tert-butyl(methyl)-silyl]disilagermirene. X-ray crystallography of this compound showed a trans-bent configuration of Si=Si double bond with a bond length of 2.146 Å. Disilagermirene easily undergoes photochemical and thermal isomerization to a silagermasilirene – first example of a stable germasilene. Reactivity of disilagermirene and silagermasilirene as well as ab initio calculations of geometries and stabilities of both compounds have been studied.

Keywords::

• disilagermirene
• silagermasilirene
• germasilene