A coordination compound of Ge(0) stabilized by a diiminopyridine ligand.
Reduction of the cationic Ge(II) complex [dimpyrGeCl][GeCl3] (dimpyr=2,6-(ArN=CMe)2NC5H3, Ar=2,6-iPr2C6H3) with potassium graphite in benzene affords an air sensitive, dark green compound of Ge(0), [dimpyrGe], which is stabilized by a bis(imino)pyridine platform. This compound is the first example of a complex of a zero-valent Group 14 element that does not contain a carbene or carbenoid ligand. This species has a singlet ground state. DFT studies revealed partial delocalization of one of the Ge lone pairs over the π*(C=N) orbitals of the imines. This delocalization results in a partial multiple-bond character between the Ge atom and imine nitrogen atoms, a fact supported by the X-ray crystallography and IR spectroscopy data.
Chemistry Department, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1 (Canada).
Terry
T
Chu
Lee
L
Belding
Art
A
van der Est
Travis
T
Dudding
Ilia
I
Korobkov
Georgii I
GI
Nikonov
DFT calculations; EPR spectroscopy; germanium; low oxidation states; pyridine