Organopolygermanes I. α,ω-Diphenylpolymethylpolygermanes. Preparation and phenyldimethylgermyllithium-catalyzed disproportionation

Abstract Nine new organopolygermanes have been prepared, including four lower members of the homologous series of α,ω-diphenylpolymethylpolygermanes of the formula Ph(Me 2 Ge) n Ph, where n = 2−5. With the exception of the compound with n = 2, each of the α,ω-diphenylpolygermanes undergoes disproportionation very readily in the presence of phenyldimethylgermyllithium as catalyst in tetrahydrofuran to produce an equilibrium mixture composed mainly of these four homologs. In no case were detectable amounts formed of the higher members or of permethylated cyclopolygermanes, (Me 2 Ge) n .