The First Crystal Structure of a Germanium(II) Amide with a Germanium - Lithium Bond and Its Behavior Towards Oxygen and Water.

The Ge-Li bond in 1 reacts readily with water and oxygen to give 2 (Li/H exchange) and 3 (insertion), respectively. In both cases the partial charge and the oxidation state of the germanium atom changes. All compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography.