The addition of trimethylgermanium radicals to fluoroethylenes

Abstract

The light induced addition of trimethylgermanium hydride to fluoroethylenes has been studied. Reactant concentration, light intensity and temperature have been varied. The results are interpreted in terms of a chain mechanism in which reaction (2) is reversible. The main chain termination ( CH 3) 3 Ge+E⇄( CH 3) 3 GeE· ( CH 3) 3 GeE·+( CH 3) 3 GeH→( CH 3) 3 GeE H+( CH 3) 3 Ge· process is the combination of two trimethylgermanium radicals, but evidence is present to show that reaction (4) is also reversible under the experimental conditions. The reversibility of this reaction 2( CH 3) 3 Ge· ⇄ h ( CH 3) 3 GeGe( CH 3) 3 makes it impossible to determine the rate constants k 2, k −2 and k 3. The orientation of addition to unsymmetric olefins thus depends on concentration, temperature and light intensity and although data for one set of conditions are reported their interpretation is only possible in general terms.