Reactivity of N-Heterocyclic Germylene Toward Ammonia and Water

The new N-heterocyclic chlorogermylene 1 has been synthesized in a four-step procedure starting from N-cyclohexylidene-2,6-diisopropyl-benzenamine. Dehydrochlorination of 1 with an N-heterocyclic carbene furnished the corresponding germylene 2 in good yield. The Ge(II) centers in 1 and 2 are stabilized by nitrogen g-donors and two bulky aryl groups. The reactivity of germylene 2 toward ammonia and water was investigated. Thus, ammonolysis and hydrolysis of 2 at ambient temperature led to the germylene amide 3 and the first monomeric germylene hydroxide 4, respectively. The new compounds 1-4 were fully characterized, including X-ray diffraction analyses.