Cyclotrigermenium Ion, a Free Germyl Cation with 2π-Electron System

Abstract

The reaction of tetrakis(tri-t-butylsilyl)cyclotrigermene with trityl tetraphenylborate in benzene produced tris(tri-t-butylsilyl)cyclotrigermenium tetraphenylborate [(t-Bu₃SiGe)₃ ⁺BPh₄ ^-], which can be isolated as yellow solids stable in the absence of air. The crystal structure of the cyclotrigermenium ion reveals a free germyl cation with 2π-electron system.

Keywords::

• aromatic compounds
• germyl cation
• electron transfer