Lewis Base Complexes of an Enantiomeric Germanium(II) Cation Bearing a Bis(oxazoline) Ligand

A tetrahydrofuran (THF) complex of an enantiomeric germanium(II) cation functionalized by an anionic bis(oxazoline) ligand was synthesized in a mixture of dimethoxyethane (DME) and THF by abstraction of the chloride ion from the corresponding chlorogermylene. The coordinated THF was exchanged with the Lewis bases phosphine and pyridine at the same coordination site. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the Lewis bases donate to a vacant p orbital of the germanium atom to form a trigonal-pyramidal geometry with a lone pair of electrons.