cis-Selective Hydrogenation of Aryl Germanes: A Direct Approach to Access Saturated Carbo- and Heterocyclic Germanes

Abstract

A catalytic approach of synthesizing the cis-selective saturated carbo- and heterocyclic germanium compounds (3D framework) is reported via the hydrogenation of readily accessible aromatic germanes (2D framework). Among the numerous catalysts tested, Nishimura’s catalyst (Rh2O3/PtO2·H2O) exhibited the best hydrogenation reactivity with an isolated yield of up to 96%. A broad range of substrates including the synthesis of unprecedented saturated heterocyclic germanes was explored. This selective hydrogenation strategy could tolerate several functional groups such as −CF3, −OR, −F, −Bpin, and −SiR3 groups. The synthesized products demonstrated the applications in coupling reactions including the newly developed strategy of aza-Giese-type addition reaction (C-N bond formation) from the saturated cyclic germane product. These versatile motifs can have a substantial value in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry as they show orthogonal reactivity in coupling reactions while competing with other coupling partners such as boranes or silanes, acquiring a three-dimensional structure with high stability and robustness.