Reactions of some organogermanium(II) chlorides

The synthesis of organogermanium(II) chloride RGeCl has played an important role in the development of heavier group 14 metal chemistry. This review covers the reactions of some organogermanium(II) chlorides which are starting precursors in the synthesis of novel germanium derivatives such as terminal germanium(II) hydrides, bisgermavinylidene, 1,3-digermacyclobutane, digermylene, metal-germyne, germanium chalcogenocarboxylic acid and other heterogermanium(II) compounds. The supporting ligands used in these organogermanium(II) complexes are mainly bulky and/or bear electron donating substituents which are essential in coordinating to the gemanium(II) center for stabilization.