An iron germylene complex having Fe–H and Ge–H bonds: synthesis, structure and reactivity

Abstract

A base-free iron germylene complex Cp*(CO)(H)FeGeH{C(SiMe₃)₃} (1) was synthesised by abstraction of pyridine from a germyl complex Cp*(CO)(py)FeGeH₂{C(SiMe₃)₃} (2), which was prepared by treatment of Cp*Fe(CO)(py)(Me) with H₃GeC(SiMe₃)₃. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that 1 has an Fe–Ge bond that is the shortest among those ever reported. Reactivity of 1 toward several polar unsaturated organic compounds was investigated. Complex 1 underwent stoichiometric hydrogermylation of carbonyl compounds such as ketones, aldehydes and isocyanates (RNCO) at room temperature. In contrast, the reactions of 1 with isothiocyanates (RNCS) resulted in clean cleavage of the CS double bonds.