Germanium-phosphorus rings

Saturated germanium- and tin-phosphorus rings of the type (R2MPR ) (M = Ge, Sn n = 2,3) have been the subject of a limited number of studies. 

Unsolvated organomagnesium compounds have been recommended for the synthesis of organometallic derivatives of mercury, boron, aluminum, silicon, germanium, tin, phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony6-8 and have been used in procedures for the alkylation of aromatic rings and for the production of various polymerization catalysts.4 9... 

A short time ago numerous triorganyl-cyclotriphosphanes have become accessible as pure substances on various synthetic routes (2). Moreover, three-membered phosphorus heterocycles with carbon, silicon, germanium, arsenic, boron, and sulfur as hetero ring atoms could be synthesized (2). Recently, we have found that such compounds with elements of the fifth periodtare als stable enough fop existence. Through the reaction of K(Bu )P-P(Bu )K with Bu S C1 or Bu -SnC at -78°C, the diphosphastib rane ... 

Catenation is defined as the self-linking of an element to form chains and rings. Carbon, then, given the above discussion, is the all-time champion catenator, much better than silicon (or sulfur, boron, phosphorus, germanium, and tin, the other elements that show this ability). Why should this be so A comparison of the relevant carbon and silicon bond energies as shown below is helpful ... 

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