NEW (DIARYLGERMYL)LITHIUMS

The new (diarylgermyl)lithiums R2GeHLi (2; R = phenyl, mesityl) were prepared in good yields by hydrogermolysis reactions of tert-butyllithium in THF. The stability of compounds 2 depends on the nature of the R group and the solvent. For R = Ph, in the presence of an amine (Et3N or Et2NMe), the same reaction leads to the formation of the polygermanes H(GePh2)nH (n = 2-4). The characterization of compounds 2 by IR and1H and13C NMR spectroscopy and their complexation with a crown ether are also reported. They are characterized by deuterolysis and alkylation reactions (with Mel and Me2SO4). Their germylation reactions with ⪫Ge-Cl reagents constitute a convenient way for synthesizing organohydropolygermaneS. C.ompounds 2 also react with acyl chlorides to give new germyl ketones, R2HGeCORʹ, and the unexpectedly stable β-germyl diketone Ph2Ge(COMes)2. They add easily to the carbonyl group of aromatic ketones or aldehydes, leading to the corresponding germylated alcohols. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.