A Digermyne with a Ge–Ge Single Bond That Activates Dihydrogen in the Solid State

The reduction of the bulky amido-germanium(II) chloride complex, LGeCl (L = N(SiMe3)(Ar*); Ar* = C6H2Me{C(H)Ph2}2-4,2,6), with the magnesium(I) dimer, [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2] (MesNacnac = [(MesNCMe)2CH]−; Mes = mesityl), afforded LGeGeL, which represents the first example of a digermyne with a Ge–Ge single bond. Computational studies of the compound have highlighted significant electronic differences between it and multiply bonded digermynes. LGeGeL was shown to cleanly activate H2 in solution or the solid state, at temperatures as low as −10 °C, to give the mixed valence compound, LGeGe(H)2L.