Alkali Metal Arenides as a Universal Synthetic Tool for Layered 2D Germanene Modification

The rediscovery of graphene in 2004 has started an enormous chase in the research of 2D materials. A new family of layered 2D materials consisting of the 14th group elements beyond carbon has already been reported. Here, a new methodology in germanene chemistry is presented using germanane (Ge₆ H₆ ) as a stable and easily accessible starting material for effective synthesis of novel germanene derivatives. The modification procedure utilizing strong bases-alkali metal arenides-for deprotonation of germanane and its subsequent functionalization with p-nitrobenzyl bromide is described. Functionalization of germanene is confirmed by FT-IR, Raman, and XPS spectroscopy as well as by X-ray diffraction analysis.