Cationic Metallogermylene and Dicationic Dimetallodigermenes: Synthesis by Chloride Abstraction from <i>N</i>‑Heterocyclic Carbene-Stabilized Chlorometallogermylenes

Reaction of NHC-stabilized dichlorogermylenes (NHC = <i>N</i>-heterocyclic carbene) with an anionic tungsten complex produced NHC-stabilized chlorometallogermylenes. Subsequent chloride abstraction from the products with NaBAr₄ (Ar = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) gave a cationic metallogermylene or dicationic dimetallodigermenes

Insertion of a Cationic Metallogermylene into E–H Bonds (E = H, B, Si)

A cationic germylene containing tungsten and N-heterocyclic carbene units reacted with H₂ in fluorobenzene at 60 °C, resulting in its insertion into the H–H bond. It also activated the Si–H bond of ethyldimethylsilane and the B–H bond of pinacolborane at ambient temperature to give the insertion products. The latter insertion reactions against hydrosilane and hydroborane were found to be reversible

Insertion of a Cationic Metallogermylene into E–H Bonds (E = H, B, Si)

A cationic germylene containing tungsten and N-heterocyclic carbene units reacted with H₂ in fluorobenzene at 60 °C, resulting in its insertion into the H–H bond. It also activated the Si–H bond of ethyldimethylsilane and the B–H bond of pinacolborane at ambient temperature to give the insertion products. The latter insertion reactions against hydrosilane and hydroborane were found to be reversible