Flash Communication: Reversible O–H Bond Activation at a Bicyclic Germanide via Ge-Ligand Cooperativity
Abstract
Low-valent germanium compounds, such as germylenes, can undergo a variety of activation reactions, but the development of related catalytic processes is hindered by a challenging reductive elimination step. A possible way to overcome this obstacle is element-ligand cooperativity (ELC), which allows generation of reactive species without an oxidation state change at the element center. Here, we report the reactivity of the bicyclic germanide K[(tmim)Ge] (tmimH 3 = tris(3-methylindol-2-yl)methane) with a phenolic O–H bonds which, instead of formal oxidative addition, undergoes a reversible O–H addition reaction coupled with cage opening to generate a Ge(II) phenoxide via element-ligand cooperativity.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Synthesis and characterization of novel inorganic/organometallic compounds
Organometallic Complex Synthesis and Catalysis
Organoboron and organosilicon chemistry
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Organometallics
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 391–396
- Publication date
- 4 February 2026
- Language
- EN