N,P-Heterocyclic Germylene/B(C6 F5 )3 Adducts: A Lewis Pair with Multi-reactive Sites.

ABSTRACT

An N,P-heterocyclic germylene/B(C6 F5 )3 Lewis adduct 2 presenting multi-reactive sites (P/B Lewis pair, germylene, Ge=P π-bond) is reported. In contrast to classical frustrated Lewis pairs or divalent Group 14 element species, 2 is able to activate two small molecules simultaneously. Of particular interest, 2 reacts with silanes leading to the formation of original cationic germylenes 3, and can be used as a metal-free catalyst for selective CO2 -hydrosilylation to H2 C(OSiEt3 )2 .