A new and convenient synthesis of germatranes using molecular sieves (3 angstrom) as dehydrating agents

Germatranes were obtained by condensation reactions of germasesquioxides wi th triethanolamines using molecular sieves (3 Angstrom) as dehydrating agen ts at room temperature in good yields. This new and highly efficient method for the synthesis of germatranes enjoys a number of advantages in that the reaction is carried out under mild conditions in good yields, starting mat erials are cheap or easily prepared, the experimental procedure is very sim ple and this method may be applicable to large scale production. (C) 2000 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.