Reactions of Trialkylgermy Anions with Aryltin Compounds

Abstract

The reactions of trialkylgermyl anions, R₃Ge^-, with aryltins, ArSnR'₃, have been investigated. Trimethylgermyl anion reacted with aryltins in HMPAJether at -30°C for 5 min to give the corresponding substitution products, ArGeMe₃, reduction products, ArH. Most of these substitution products were converted to the reduction products when dicyclohexylphosphine, a trapping agent for free radicals was present in the reaction mixture. These results are consistent with free radical mechanism involving aryl radicals.