A Germanium Isocyanide Complex Featuring (n → π*) Back-Bonding and Its Conversion to a Hydride/Cyanide Product via C-H Bond Activation under Mild Conditions

Abstract

Reaction of the diarylgermylene Ge(ArMe6)2 [ArMe6 = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-(CH3)3)2] with tert-butyl isocyanide gave the Lewis adduct species (ArMe6)2GeCNBut, in which the isocyanide ligand displays a decreased C–N stretching frequency consistent with an n → π* back-bonding interaction. Density functional theory confirmed that the HOMO is a Ge–C bonding combination between the lone pair of electrons on the germanium atom and the C–N π* orbital of the isocyanide ligand. The complex undergoes facile C–H bond activation to produce a new diarylgermanium hydride/cyanide species and isobutene via heterolytic cleavage of the N–But bond.