Different reactivity of the heavier group 14 element alkyne analogues Ar'MMAr' (M = Ge, Sn; Ar' = C6H3-2,6(C6H3-2,6-Pri2)2) with R2NO.

The reactions of the digermanium and ditin alkyne analogues Ar'MMAr' (M = Ge or Sn) with R2NO, (R2NO = Me2C(CH2)3CMe2NO or N2O), result in complete MM bond cleavage to afford the germylene :Ge(Ar')ONR2 or the germanium(II) or tin(II) hydroxides {M(Ar')(micro-OH)}2.