On the Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Tetramesityldigermene

Tetramesityldigermene (1) can be synthesized cleanly and quantitatively by photolysis of hexamesitylcyclotrigermane (2) in THF at low temperature. A solution of tetramesityldigermene (1) in THF is
stable for several weeks at room temperature; the digermene does not dissociate or rearrange. The molecular
structure of tetramesityldigermene (1) has been determined using X-ray crystallography. The effectiveness
of the new protocol for the synthesis of tetramesityldigermene (1) and its derivatives has been demonstrated
in the study of the addition of carboxylic acids to tetramesityldigermene (1).