Phospha-bicyclohexene-germylenes exhibiting unexpected reactivity

Introducing phospha-bicyclohexene (BCH)-germylenes (BCHGe's) as a novel, multifunctional compound class: the title compounds 15-18 are obtained from simple salt metathesis reactions of dipotassium germacyclopentadienediides K₂[1] with phosphorusdichlorides. The BCHGe's 15-18 are stabilized by homoconjugation of the germanium(ii) centre with the remote C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond. Despite substantial thermodynamic stabilization, phospha-BCHGe's are reactive and undergo a reductive elimination of elemental germanium to give the corresponding phospholes. The elimination is a nucleophilic, bimolecular process and is prevented by large substituents. The reaction of phospha-BCHGe's with small electrophiles gives the corresponding phosphonium salts. Oxidation with chalcogens takes place at both the germanium and the phosphorus atom, and after elimination of germanium chalcogenides the corresponding phosphole chalcogenides were isolated. The introduced germylenes exhibit strong nucleophilic but also non-neglectable electrophilic properties.