In this contribution a convenient synthetic method to obtain tetraacylgermanes Ge[C(O)R] (R=mesityl (1 a), phenyl (1 b)), a previously unknown class of highly efficient Ge-based photoinitiators, is described. Tetraacylgermanes are easily accessible via a one-pot synthetic protocol in >85 % yield, as confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The efficiency of 1 a,b as photoinitiators is demonstrated in photobleaching (UV/Vis), time-resolved EPR (CIDEP), and NMR/CIDNP investigations as well as by photo-DSC studies. Remarkably, the tetraacylgermanes exceed the performance of currently known long-wavelength visible-light photoinitiators for free-radical polymerization.

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We present a comparative study of the photoinitiating efficiency of selected acylgermanes, focusing on wavelength-dependent photobleaching, decomposition quantum yields and radical reactivity.

Stabilization of the central atom in an oxidation state of zero through coordination of neutral ligands is a common bonding motif in transition-metal chemistry. However, the stabilization of main-group elements in an oxidation state of zero by neutral ligands is rare. Herein, we report that the transamination reaction of the DAMPY ligand system (DAMPY=2,6-[ArNH-CH2 ]2 (NC5 H3 ) (Ar=C6 H3 -2,6-iPr2 )) with Sn[N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 produces the DIMPYSn complex (DIMPY=(2,6-[ArNCH]2 (NC5 H3 )) with the Sn atom in a formal oxidation state of zero. This is the first example of a tin compound stabilized in a formal oxidation state of zero by only one donor molecule. Furthermore, three related low-valent Sn(II) complexes, including a [DIMPYSn(II) Cl](+) [SnCl3 ](-) ion pair, a bisstannylene DAMPY{Sn(II) [N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 }2 , and the enamine complex MeDIMPYSn(II) , were isolated. Experimental results and the conclusions drawn are also supported by theoretical studies at the density functional level of theory and (119) Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Acylgermanes have been subject of great interest recently because of their low toxicity and the applicability as sources for germanium-centered radicals for visible-light induced free radical polymerization processes. We report on a novel and versatile method for the synthesis of tetraacylgermanes allowing the preparation of various tetra-substituted acylgermanes 1a−m. The formation of these derivatives was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. UV−vis absorption spectra of the prepared compounds reveal absorption in the visible region. This transition was assigned by TD-DFT calculations. It enabled a general screening of the influence of different substitution patterns on the absorption properties. The radical formation upon irradiation was confirmed by TR-EPR spectroscopy.