The
novel acetylide–germylene complexes Cp*(CO)2W(GePh2)(CCR) (7a, R = SiMe3; 7b, R = CMe3) were synthesized by the reactions of Cp*(CO)2W(NCMe)Me with Ph2HGeCCR (R = SiMe3, CMe3). X-ray crystal analysis of 7a revealed significantly increased germylene–tungsten and decreased
germylene–acetylide interactions in comparison to the corresponding
interactions in the previously reported acetylide–silylene
complex Cp*(CO)2W(SiPh2)(CCSiMe3)
(1). Complexes 7a,b reacted
with acetone to give the six-membered cyclic vinylidene complexes
Cp*(CO)2
WCC(R)CMe2OGePh2 (8a, R = SiMe3; 8b,
R = CMe3) by acetone insertion reaction, similar to the
case of 1 affording Cp*(CO)2
WCC(SiMe3)CMe2OSiPh2 (2). In the presence of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP),
complexes 8a,b gave trans- and cis-DMAP-stabilized germylene acetylide
complexes Cp*(CO)2W(GePh2·DMAP)(CCR) (
trans
- and
cis
-9a, R = SiMe3;
trans
- and
cis
-9b, R = CMe3) and acetone, showing a reactivity
different from that of the silicon analogue 2. Complexes
cis-
9a,b were isolated as crystals
from the reaction of 7a,b with DMAP and formed mixtures
with
trans
-9a,b in solutions, respectively. A mixture of
cis- and
trans-9a reacted with acetone to form an equilibrium mixture with 8a and DMAP. The reactivity of 7a,b toward Me3COH was also investigated to
reveal the formation of the vinylidene complexes Cp*(CO)2W{GePh2(OCMe3)}CCHR (10a, R = SiMe3; 10b, R = CMe3); 10a is equilibrated with 7a and Me3COH, whereas 10b is further converted to the
carbyne complex Cp*(CO)2WCCH(CMe3){GePh2(OCMe3)} (11).