The reactions of elemental germanium with 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone

Germanium powder reacts slowly with 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone (dbb q) in refluxing toluene to give products whose composition depends on the i nitial mole ratio of the reactants. When Ge:bbsq = 1:2, the solid product i s a monoradical + diradical species, but in non-aqueous solvents this conve rts to a diamagnetic oligomer. Treatment with 2,2'-bipyridine, or monodenta te nitrogen donors (=L) gives diamagnetic germanium(IV) derivatives Ge(dbc) (2)L-2 (dbc(2-)=3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate dianion). When the initial Ge: dbbq mole ratio = 1:3, the product is the diradical Ge(dbbsq(.))(2)(dbc). T he reaction of Ge and 4 dbbq, or the treatment of GeX4 (X=Cl, Br) with 4 mo les of Na(dbbsq(.)), gives a product identified as Ge(dbbsq(.))(2)(dbc)(dbb q), but the structure of this compound is unclear. The solid state and solu tion properties of these unusual compounds are discussed in the light of H- 1 NMR and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy.