Vinyl complexes with germanium

Fischer-type carbenes are known as potential carbene transfer reagents to electron-rich and electron-deficient alkenes. Little is known about the chemistry of carbene complexes with silicon substituents at the carbene C-atom, whereas complexes with germanium, tin, or lead have not yet been prepared. The tungsten-carbene complexes 6 react with an excess of ethyl vinyl ether to give l,2-diethoxy-l-(trialkylsilyl)cyclopropanes 7." Only the f-isomers were formed and similar results can be achieved by using the corresponding molybdenum or chromium complexes. On the other hand, no reaction takes place with 2,3-dihydrofuran or ethyl ( )-but-2-enoate. ... 

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