The Exploration of Aroyltrimethylgermane as Potent Synthetic Origins and Their Preparation

Ligand-Controlled Regiodivergent Ring Expansion of Benzosilacyclobutenes with Alkynes en Route to Axially Chiral Silacyclohexenyl Arenes

A ligand-controlled regiodivergent and enantioselective ring expansion of benzosilacyclobutenes with internal naphthyl alkynes has been achieved by adjusting the ligand cavity size. The ligand (S)-8H-binaphthyl phosphoramidite, featuring small methyl groups on its arms, provides a spacious cavity that favors sterically demanding Si-Csp3 ring expansion, predominantly yielding axially chiral (S)-1-silacyclohexenyl arenes. In contrast, the ligand (R)-spiro phosphoramidite, with bulky t-Bu groups on its arms, offers a compact cavity that facilitates less sterically demanding Si-Csp2 ring expansion, leading primarily to axially chiral (S)-2-silacyclohexenyl arenes. Density functional theory calculations delineate distinct mechanistic pathways for each ring expansion route and elucidate their regio- and enantioselectivity.

Do germanium-based photoinitiators have the potential to replace the well-established acylphosphine oxides?

In the last few decades, there has been an increasing demand for photoinitiators with growing requirements. Nowadays, photoinitiators need to fulfill several requirements such as a low level of toxicity, biocompatibility, fast polymerization rates, high activities, good photobleaching and much more in order to remain competitive on the market. Accordingly, we compare acylphosphine oxides and acylgermanes, two common classes of photoinitiators, with respect to their various synthetic pathways, toxicity, availability and performance.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Germoles and Benzogermoles Using a Substoichiometric Amount of Diisobutylaluminum Hydride

We developed a synthetic route to unsymmetrically polysubstituted germoles bearing different substituents from 1-hydrogermyl-4-silyl-1,3-enynes. The reaction proceeded with 0.5 equiv of diisobutylaluminum hydride. Various 2-silylgermoles including benzogermoles were obtained in good to excellent yields. 2-Germylbenzogermoles could be also successfully synthesized from 1-hydrogermyl-4-germyl-1,3-enynes under the same reaction conditions.