Three coordinate divalent Group 14 element compounds with a β-diketiminate as supporting ligand L2MX [L2=PhNC(Me)CHC(Me)NPh, X=Cl, I; M=Ge, Sn]

The new heteroleptic divalent germanium and tin compounds L2MX [L2=PhNC(Me)CHC(Me)NPh. X=Cl; M=Ge (1), Sn (2). X=I; M=Ge (3), Sn (4)] have been synthesized and physicochemically and structurally (2) characterized. The halide ligand of all compounds can either be removed by reaction with NaBPh4 leading to the cationic Ge(II) and Sn(II) species L2M+ or may be replaced by other groups after nucleophilic substitution giving L2MR compounds [R=N(SiMe3)2; M=Ge, Sn. M=Sn; R=OSO2CF3, N3]. Reactions of 1 and 2 with elemental S8, Se or transition metal complexes M′(CO)5·THF have resulted in the isolation of the new complexes L2(Cl)ME (E=S; M=Ge, Sn. E=Se, M=Ge) and L2(Cl)MM′(CO)5 (M′=Cr, W; M=Ge, Sn).