A Digermyne with a Ge-Ge Single Bond That Activates Dihydrogen in the Solid State

The reduction of the bulky amido-germanium-(II) chloride complex, LGeCl (L = N(SiMe3)(Ar*); Ar* = C6H2Me{C(H)Ph-2}(2)-4,2,6), with the magnesium(I) dimer, [{((Mes)Nacnac)Mg}(2)] ((Mes)Nacnac = [(MesNCMe)(2)CH](-); Mes = mesityl), afforded LGeGeL, which represents the first example of a digermyne with a Ge-Ge single bond. Computational studies of the compound have highlighted significant electronic differences between it and 'multiply bonded digermynes. LGeGeL was shown to cleanly activate H-2 in solution or the solid state, at temperatures as low as 10 degrees C, to give the mixed valence compound, LGeGe(H)(2)L.