Crispin R. W. Reinhold

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Thomas Müller at the University of Oldenburg. The image shows the calculated spin distribution of a persistent silacyclopentadienyl radical. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202101415.

The synthesis of persistent sila‐ and germacyclopentadienyl (silolyl‐ and germolyl‐) radicals by careful stoichiometric reduction of the corresponding halides with potassium is reported. The radicals were characterized by EPR spectroscopy and trapping reactions. The reduction of tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl‐substituted halides was successful while smaller substituents (i. e., t‐Butyl, Ph) gave the corresponding dimers. The EPR spectroscopic parameter of the synthesized tetrolyl radicals indicate only small spin delocalization to the butadiene unit due to cross‐hyperconjugation. Silolyl‐ and germolyl anions are unavoidable byproducts and are isolated in the form of their potassium salts and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The comparison of the molecular structures of two closely related potassium silolides provided an example for different coordination of the potassium cation to the silolyl anion (η¹ vs. η⁵ coordination) that triggers the switch between delocalized and localized states.

An unusual germole‐to‐silole transformation is described. As key intermediates hetero‐fulvenes are formed which rearrange to more stable bicyclic carbene analogues. The so‐formed germylenes undergo a reductive elimination yielding elemental germanium and siloles. In contrast, the analogous silylenes are stable at ambient conditions and were identified by MS spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy supported by the results of quantum mechanical calculations. These bicyclic silylenes are stable derivatives of the global minimum of the C₄Si₂H₆potential energy surface.

The synthesis of a bicyclic germylene from the reaction of a germole dianion with hafnocene dichloride is reported. This germylene is stabilized by a homoconjugative interaction of the dicoordinated germanium atom with a remote C=C double bond. First reactivity studies revealed its nucleophilic character and resulted in the synthesis of bimetallic hafnium/iron and hafnium/tungsten complexes with a germylene group linker.

The synthesis of a bicyclic germylene from the reaction of a germole dianion with hafnocene dichloride is reported. This germylene is stabilized by a homoconjugative interaction of the dicoordinated germanium atom with a remote C=C double bond. First reactivity studies revealed its nucleophilic character and resulted in the synthesis of bimetallic hafnium/iron and hafnium/tungsten complexes with a germylene group linker.