Synthesis of Bis(pentafluoroethyl)germanes.

The chemistry of bis(pentafluoroethyl)germanes (C2F5)2 GeX2 is presented. The synthesis of such species requires Br2 GePh2 , wherein the phenyl substituents function as suitable protecting groups. After treatment with two equivalents of LiC2 F5, (C2F5)2 GePh2 is produced. The replacement of the phenyl rings is smoothly effected by gaseous HBr or HCl in the presence of a Lewis acidic catalyst. The trigermoxane [(C2F5)2 GeO]3 results from the reaction of (C2F5)2 GeBr2 with Ag2 CO3. Its crystalline 1,10-phenanthroline adduct was fully characterised by X-ray diffraction. The combination of (C2F5)2 GeBr2 with Bu3 SnH gave rise to the formation of (C2F5)2 GeH2 .