STEREOSPECIFIC INSERTION OF GERMYLENE INTO THE VINYL-CHLORIDE BOND

Reaction of a stable germylene, bis(bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl)germylen e (1), with an excess of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, cis-1,2-dichloroe thylene or 1,1-dichloroethylene gave the corresponding vinylchlorogerm anes 2, 3 and 4 respectively in quantitative yield. The stereochemistr y of the starting material was retained in the product, showing that t hese insertion reactions proceeded stereospecifically. Reaction of 1 w ith an equal molar quantity of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene gave the dou ble germylene insertion product trans-R(2)ClGeCH=CHCGeClR(2) (R = CH(S iMe(3))(2)).