The synthesis of the digermyl and germylsilyl hydronium borates 7[B(C6F5)(4)] and 8[B(C6F5)(4)] is reported. Spectroscopic (IR, NMR) and structural data supported by the results of density functional calculations indicate in both cases a symmetric or almost symmetric E-H-E' three-center-two-electron linkage (7, E = E' = Ge; 8, E = Si, E' = Ge). The [B(C6F5)(4)](-) and the [HCB11H5Br6](-). salts of both cations are active in catalytic hydrodefluorination reactions of alkyl and benzyl fluorides. No significant effect of the element atom E on the determined turnover numbers was found.
The synthesis of the digermyl and germylsilyl hydronium borates 7[B(C6F5)(4)] and 8[B(C6F5)(4)] is reported. Spectroscopic (IR, NMR) and structural data supported by the results of density functional calculations indicate in both cases a symmetric or almost symmetric E-H-E' three-center-two-electron linkage (7, E = E' = Ge; 8, E = Si, E' = Ge). The [B(C6F5)(4)](-) and the [HCB11H5Br6](-). salts of both cations are active in catalytic hydrodefluorination reactions of alkyl and benzyl fluorides. No significant effect of the element atom E on the determined turnover numbers was found.