In situ Ge-Ge bond formation under ambient conditions: synthesis, characterization and reactivity of organo-functionalized telluridogermanate complexes.

Unprecedented noradamantane-type compounds [(R(2,3)Ge)(4)Te(5)] (R(2) = CH(2)CH(2)COOH, R(3) = CH(CH(2)COOH)(2)), containing a Ge-Ge bond, yield from reactions of R(2,3)GeCl(3) with Na(2)Te or Li(2)Te in THF, while reactions with R(1)GeCl(3) (R(1) = CMe(2)CH(2)COMe) afford a double-decker-type cage [(R(3)Ge)(4)Te(6)]; by reaction with hydrazine, the latter reacts to the hydrazone functionalized, monomeric anion [(R(4)Ge)Te(2)](-) (R(4) = CMe(2)CH(2)CNNH(2)Me).