A Cryptand-encapsulated Germanium(ii) Dication

摘要

Unlike cations of metals such as sodium or calcium, oxidized silicon and germanium centers generally require strongly bound covalent ligands. We report the synthesis and characterization of a germanium(ll) dication in the form of the salt (Ge-cryptand[2.2.2])(O_3SCF_3)_2. The salt is isolated in 88% yield from the reaction of cryptand [2.2.2] and an N-heterocyclic carbene complex of GeCKO_3SCF_3) as an air-sensitive, white solid. The crystal structure of the salt shows minimal interaction between the cryptand-encapsulated germanium(ll) ion and the two ~-O_3SCF_3 counterions. These results suggest a widely expanded role of cryptands and related molecules in stabilizing nonmetallic cations.