Introduction of optically active triorganogermyl ligands into transition metal complexes. Synthesis of carbene complexes, crystal structure and absolute configuration of cis- S(-)(methylphenyl-1-naphthylgermyl)-(methylethoxycarbene) tetracarbonylmanganese

Abstract

The attachment of triorganogermyl ligands to transition metals by displacement of a CO ligand is described. The optical stability of the germyl anions has been used to prepare a nickel-germanium complex by displacement of chloride (this reaction representing a limiting case) and more generally in the synthesis of germanium-transition metal bonds by displacement of CO (the transition metal being Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, or Co). Optically active germyl anions are used in the synthesis of carbene complexes by insertion of CO ligands into a carbon-transition metal sigma bond. A crystallographic study of the complex MePh-(1-Np)Ge(CO) 4MnC(OEt)Me reveals that the carbene unit is cis to the germanium and that the germyllithium has reacted with retention of configuration.