Studies of silyl and germyl Group VI species. Part II. Bis(methylgermyl) and bis(dimethylgermyl) chalcogenides and related species

Abstract

Comparative reactions of some halogenogermanes with lithium(I), lead(II), and organosilicon Group VI species have been investigated, leading to the efficient syntheses of the chalcogermanes of the formula (MenH3−nGe)2E, where E = O, S, Se, Te; n = 0 → 3. The spectroscopic properties of the new bis(methylgermyl) and bis(dimethylgermyl) chalcogenides are discussed. Germanethiols and germaneselenols, viz. MenH3−nGeEH (E = S, Se; n = 0, 3) are isolated as intermediates in the reaction of digermoxanes with H2E and from equilibrium mixtures of (MenH3−nGe)2E with excess H2E. Evidence is presented for the condensation of the chalcogermanes to species of the type MenH3−nGe(EGeH3−nMen)2 (n = 1, 2) and for the elimination of metallic selenium or tellurium giving digermanes of the type (MenH3−nGe)2 (n = 1, 2).