The First X-Ray Structural Analysis and Photolysis of Germatetrasilacyclopentanes

The five-membered ring system, germatetrasilacyclopentane, [R2Si]4GePh2 (1a: R = iPr; 1b: R = tBuCH2), was synthesized and characterized. Their structures have been determined by X-ray analysis, which showed the Si4Ge rings of 1a and 1b to be an envelope and half-chair form, respectively. The photolyses of the compounds using a mercury lamp ( λ = 254 nm) were carried out.