Diphosphine and diarsine complexes of germanium(II) halides-preparation, spectroscopic, and structural studies

The Ge(II) halide complexes [GeX(2)(L-L)] (L-L = o-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2))(2), o-C(6)H(4)(PMe(2))(2), Me(2)P(CH(2))(2)PMe(2); X = Cl, Br, I. L-L = Et(2)P(CH(2))(2)PEt(2); X = Cl or Br. L-L = o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2); X = Br or I) and [GeCl(L-L)][GeCl(3)] (L-L = o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2)) have been prepared and characterized by IR, (1)H and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy, and microanalyses. The crystal structures of [GeX(2){o-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2))(2)}] (X = Cl, Br, I) reveal discrete mononuclear units with a very asymmetric bidentate o-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2))(2) ligand and a bent GeX(2) unit. Those of [GeX(2){o-C(6)H(4)(PMe(2))(2)}] show symmetrically coordinated diphosphine with loosely associated dimer arrangements, formed through long Ge...X bridges between adjacent monomer units. [GeX(2){R(2)P(CH(2))(2)PR(2)}] (R = Me; X = Cl, Br, I. R = Et; X = Cl, Br) all show discrete monomer structures with 2-fold crystallographic symmetry and based upon four-coordinate Ge, with the diphosphine chelating and approximately linear GeX(2) units. [GeI(2){o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2)}] involves significant intermolecular Ge...I interactions, giving rise to a zigzag polymer chain. Finally, the structure of [GeCl{o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2)}][GeCl(3)] shows pyramidal cations and anions both with crystallographic mirror symmetry, with the diarsine symmetrically chelating, and long Ge...Cl interactions give a loosely associated chain polymer with alternating cations and anions. Comparisons across this series of structurally diverse complexes are discussed.