Stoichiometric reduction of the bulky beta-diketiminato germanium(II) chloride complex [((But)Nacnac)-GeCl] ((But)Nacnac = [{N(Dip)C(Bu-t)}(2)CH](-), Dip = C6H3Pr2i-2,6) with either sodium naphthalenide or the magnesium(I) dimer [{((Mes)Nacnac)Mg}(2)] ((Mes)Nacnac = [(MesNCMe)(2)CH](-), Mes = mesityl) afforded the radical complex [((But)Nacnac)Ge](.) in moderate yields. X-ray crystallographic, EPR/ENDOR spectroscopic, computational, and reactivity studies revealed this to be the first authenticated monomeric, neutral germanium(I) radical.
Stoichiometric reduction of the bulky beta-diketiminato germanium(II) chloride complex [((But)Nacnac)-GeCl] ((But)Nacnac = [{N(Dip)C(Bu-t)}(2)CH](-), Dip = C6H3Pr2i-2,6) with either sodium naphthalenide or the magnesium(I) dimer [{((Mes)Nacnac)Mg}(2)] ((Mes)Nacnac = [(MesNCMe)(2)CH](-), Mes = mesityl) afforded the radical complex [((But)Nacnac)Ge](.) in moderate yields. X-ray crystallographic, EPR/ENDOR spectroscopic, computational, and reactivity studies revealed this to be the first authenticated monomeric, neutral germanium(I) radical.