PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

The chlorogermane (C2F5)3GeCl with very electronegative penta-fluoroethyl groups was converted with LiCH2PtBu2 to obtain the intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) (C2F5)3GeCH2PtBu2 - a neutral germanium-based FLP. Its reactivity was compared to its silicon homologue (C2F5)3SiCH2PtBu2. Both FLP cleave NO but give cyclic (Si) and open-chain oxides (Ge). In reactions with HCl both FLP give the same adduct type in the solid state, while the proton seems more mobile in solution in the germanium case. Reactions with PhCNO and Me3SiCHN2 result in ring-type adducts. The structures of (C2F5)3GeCH2PtBu2 and of five adducts with substrates were elucidated by X-ray diffraction. The study clearly features the germanium compound to have a more moderate Lewis acidity compared to the silicon analogue. © 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.