Polygermane Building Blocks

Tetrakis(trimethylgermyl)germane was prepared by the reaction of chlorotrimethylgermane and tetrabromogermane with lithium at −78 °C. Reaction with potassium tert-butoxide/18-crown-6 gave (Me₃Ge)₃GeK·18-crown-6, which displayed typical reactivity with electrophiles. In the reaction of (Me₃Ge)₃GeSiMe₃ with tert-butoxide/18-crown-6 exclusive attack at the trimethylsilyl group was observed. Attempts to obtain a dimetalated species from (Me₃Ge)₃GeGe(GeMe₃)₃ and 2 tert-butoxide/2 18-crown-6 failed due to cleavage of the central Ge−Ge bond. The respective dianion was, however, accessible employing (Me₃Si)(Me₃Ge)₂GeGe(GeMe₃)₂(SiMe₃) as the precursor.