Synthesis of germanium enolate polymers from germylene monomers

Abstract A novel germanium containing polymer, poly(germanium enolate), has been synthesized by the reaction of a divalent germanium compound, germylene, with a cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone in the presence of a catalytic amount of a lithium compound. The germylene was also copolymerized with a cyclic α,β-unsaturated lactone, affording an unstable polymer having a ketene acetal structure in the main chain. The resulting polymers are the first example having a metal enolate structure as repeating unit.