A new pathway to germane-stannane copolymers is reported here. Diphenylgermyl dianion and methylphenylgermyl dianion were generated and accumulated in the cathode compartment of the two compartment cell by electrochemical reduction of diphenylgermane and methylphenylgermane, respectively, at −50°C in DMF using tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate as a supporting electrolyte. These anions gave germane-stannane copolymers upon the reaction with dibutyldichlorostannanes. The obtained copolymers showed less sensitive characteristics toward the moisture compared to poly(dibutylstannane), and photodecomposition as sensitive as poly(dibutylstannane).
