Reaction of trimethylsilyl azide with a digermene in the presence of water: 1,2-addition of hydrazoic acid

The sterically congested tetrakis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)digermene (4) does not react with trimethylsilyl azide. However, in the presence of water hydrazoic acid is formed which adds to the GeGe double bond of 4 in a 1,2-fashion to furnish the corresponding azidodigermane in high yield. The N1N2a and N2aN3a bond lengths of 114.6 and 113.9 pm, respectively, are nearly equal and differ markedly from those in organic azides.