POLYGERMOXANES SUITABLE FOR BIOCHEMICAL PURPOSES .2. LINEAR TRIGERMOXANES (HIGH-VISCOSITY OILS)

Linear trigermoxanes, R(1)R(2)(2)GeOGe(R(3))(2)OGeR(2)(2)R(1), a new s eries of organogermanium compounds, were synthesized by reaction of a lithium organogermanolate with a suitable organogermanium dihalide. Wi th alkyl or phenyl substituents, these trigermoxanes are structurally unstable viscous oils, due to redistribution reactions, When R(3) subs tituents are bulky groups, such as mesityl, trigermoxanes are thermall y and structurally stable oils; depending on the R(1) and R(2) substit uents their viscosities lie in the range 240 to more than 1500 cPo (mP a s) at 20 degrees C, When both terminal germanium atoms are substitut ed with two mesityl groups, trigermoxanes are stable glassy solids.