Polygermane Building Blocks

Tetrakis(trimethylgermyl)germane was prepared by the reaction of chlorotrimethylgermane and tetrabromogermane with lithium at -78 degrees C. Reaction with potassium tert-butoxide/18-crown-6 gave (Me3Ge)(3)Gek.18-crown-6, which displayed typical reactivity with electrophiles. In the reaction of (Me3Ge)(3)GeSiMe3 with tert-butoxide/18-crown-6 exclusive attack at the trimethylsilyl group was observed. Attempts to obtain a dimetalated species from (Me3Ge)(3)GeGe(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)(2)GeGe(GeMe3)(2)(SiMe3) as the precursor.