CATENATED GROUP-14 COMPOUNDS - SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURAL AND SPECTRAL CHARACTERIZATION, AND CHEMISTRY OF THE CHAINS ME(3)CSIME(2)GEME(2)SNR(3) (R=ME, PH)

The permethylated catenated group 14 compound with the periodic chain C-Si-Ge-Sn is reported, 1a, together with the triphenyltin analog, 1b. Complete spectral characterization, including multinuclear NMR, is pr ovided. The single-crystal structure of 1b is reported: the bond lengt hs C-t-Bu-Si, Si-Ge, and Ge-Sn, 1.900(9), 2.386(2), and 2.608(1) Angst rom, respectively, are all in the normal range. Bond angle measurement s indicate that the tert-butyl group dominates the structure resulting in significant distortions about the Ge atom. Photochemical treatment of 1a resulted in elimination of Me(2)Ge and Me(2)Sn, with a small am ount of direct Ge-Sn cleavage. Treatment of la with n-butyllithium res ulted in the predominant formation of Me(3)CSiMe(2)GeMe(2)Li and Me(3) Sn(n-Bu). Both the photochemical and n-BuLi reactions of la also produ ced (Me(3)CSiMe(2)GeMe(2))(2) as a significant byproduct.