Heavier tetrylenes attract attention for their potential in synthesis, catalysis and small molecule activation. The coordination by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) results in substantial structural and electronic differences although typically only one of these yields stable derivatives for one and the same tetrylene. We now report both NHC- and CAAC-coordination to a bridged bis(germylene) motif. The NHC-coordinated bis(germylene) exhibits pyramidal germanium centers with lone pairs of electrons, while with CAAC an unprecedented stable bis(germene) with two Ge=C bonds is isolated. Spectroscopic and crystallographic evidence as well as DFT calculations confirm the effects of σ,π-conjugation between the two germanium centers in both cases. The coordination of NHC is reversible as the reaction with BPh3 liberates the transient bis(germylene) and thus provides an alternative low-temperature route towards polymers with Ge=Ge bonds.
Keywords: N-heterocyclic carbenes; carbene homologues; conjugation; cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes; subvalent compounds.
© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.