A bis(germylene) functionalized metal-coordinated polyphosphide and its isomerization

Area of Science:

• Organometallic Chemistry
• Main Group Chemistry
• Coordination Chemistry

Background:

• Pentaphosphaferrocene, [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)], is a known source of polyphosphorus ligands.
• Germylene complexes are valuable building blocks in inorganic synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the reactivity of pentaphosphaferrocene with digermylenes.
• To synthesize and characterize novel germylene-polyphosphide complexes.

Main Methods:

• Reaction of [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)] with [LGe-GeL] (L = {PhC(NtBu)2}).
• Isolation and characterization of the resulting complex using spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques.

Main Results:

• A stepwise reaction involving reductive homolytic cleavage of the Ge-Ge bond was observed.
• Formation of the complex [(LGe)2{(μ,η4-P5)FeCp*}] with an unprecedented isomerization.

Conclusions:

• Pentaphosphaferrocene can serve as a versatile polyphosphorus source in reactions with low-valent main group element compounds.
• The observed isomerization highlights novel reactivity pathways in germylene-polyphosphide chemistry.