Exploring the Reactivity of Germole Dianions with Aluminum Trichloride: Uncovering Versatile Pathways

Abstract

The reactivity analysis of dipotassiumgermoldiides K₂[1] with aluminum trichloride in the presence of donors uncovers an unexpectedly broad range of products. The specific product formed varies, based on the donor's characteristics, its size, and the stoichiometric ratio between the donor and the aluminium trichloride. This leads to the formation of various products, including alumole complexes of germanium 3(Do) (with Do = OEt₂, ^iPr2Me2Im), cationic germole complexes of aluminylenes [14]⁺, and 2H-germole derivatives such as 15a. The alumole complexes of germanium 3 are structurally best described as nido-type clusters or aluminagerma[5]pyramidanes. They show significant Lewis acidity and can be isolated only in the form of their donor complexes 3(Do). The 2H-germole derivative 15a promises a high synthetic potential due to its unprecedented germenide (R₂C = Ge(:)-R) group group, which is part of a butadiene system and substituted with a reactive C–Al functionality.