Other GeR4 Compounds

Cationic GeR4 compounds derived from alkylidenetriphenylphosphoranes have been described by the following formulas  

These products have been obtained from GeCl4 and the corresponding phosphorane, P(C6H5)3=CHR (R = H, CH3, i-C3H7), in THE at room temperature (12 h) 62, 77, and 78% yield, respectively. The products were characterized by elemental analyses for C and H only. 

The hygroscopic solids are unstable in CH2CI2 and CHCI3 —60°C giving the corresponding phosphonium salts, [P(C0H5)3CHR]Cl. 

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The thermal decomposition of Ge(C2H5)4 and other GeR4 compounds (R = C3H7, C4H9, and i-CgHn) has also been studied in sealed evacuated tubes [30, 33, 49] and a semiflow system [49] (not clearly described) between 350 and 450°C. Pure polycrystalline Ge forms under these conditions (30% conversion at 400°C/6 h) [30] and typical gas compositions (in moles per mole Ge(C2H5)4 decomposed) are as follows (analyzed by GLC) [33] ... 

The present first volume of the series deals with symmetrical GeR4 compounds (Section 1.1.1) and a portion of the GeRgR compounds (Section 1.1.2), namely Ge(CH3)3R up to R = cycloalkyl. The literature has been covered to December 5, 1985 through the Chemical Abstracts on-line data retrieval service. A few papers where the original was unavailable and the abstract proved inadequate have not been included. The patent literature, far less numerous than for organo derivatives of the other Main Group IV elements, has been included in those cases where the abstract was adequate. 

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