Redox flexibility in a germanium hydride manifold: hydrogen shuttling via oxidative addition and reductive elimination

Abstract

We report the synthesis of a trimetallic mixed-valence Ge(i)/Ge(ii)/Ge(iii) trihydride, which presents a structural novel motif among systems of the type (XMH)n (M = group 14 metal). In terms of reactivity (ArNiPr2)GeGe(ArNiPr2)(H)Ge(ArNiPr2)(H)2 can act as a source of both the Ge(ii) and Ge(iv) hydrides via Ge–H reductive elimination from the central metal centre involving two different regiochemistries.