Synthesis and characterization of GeH2Cp*2 and its structural comparison with SiXHCp*2(X=Cl, H) and SnCl2Cp*2.

The organogermane GeH₂Cp*₂ (1) was synthesized by the reaction of GeCl₂Cp*₂ (A) with LiAlH4 in quantitative yield, whereas the synthesis of the previously reported compounds SiCl₂Cp*₂ (B), SnCl₂Cp*₂ (C), SiCl- HCp*₂ (D) and SiH₂Cp*₂ (E) followed established routes. The molecular structures of the Cp*M(IV) derivatives 1, B, D and E are reported. In addition, compound 1 was characterized by spectroscopic methods such as ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and EI-mass spectrometry. The thermal behavior of the germanes 1 and A was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, DSC) and PXRD. The decomposition of compounds A and 1 starts at 270°C (A) and 200°C (1), respectively. The formation of crystalline Ge upon heating these compounds in sealed quartz glass capillaries was observed at 270°C (A) and 500°C (1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]