title: Exploiting Electrostatics To Generate Unsaturation: Oxidative Ge=E Bond Formation Using a Non π-Donor Stabilized [R(L)Ge:](+) Cation.
abstract: The two-coordinate germanium cation [(IDipp){(Me3Si)2CH}Ge:](+) has been synthesized, which lacks π-donor stabilization of the metal center and consequently has a very small HOMO-LUMO gap (187 kJ mol(-1)). It undergoes a variety of facile oxidative bond-forming reactions, most notably allowing access to the first examples of Group 14 metal cations containing M=E multiple bonds (E = C, N). The use of an electrostatic (rather than purely steric) strategy to discourage aggregation means that less bulky systems (for example, containing a primary alkylidene fragment, =CHR) are accessible.
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QR (UK). arnab.rit@chem.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Arnab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rit
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QR (UK).
authors.forename: Rémi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tirfoin
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QR (UK). simon.aldridge@chem.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aldridge
keywords: N-heterocyclic carbenes; bond activation; germanium; main group elements; multiple bonds