Preparation and structural characterization of trimethylsilyl-substituted germylzinc halides, (Me3Si)3GeZnX (X=Cl, Br, and I) and silylzinc chloride, R(Me3Si)2SiZnCl (R=SiMe3 and Ph)

The trimethylsilyl-substituted germylzinc halides, (Me3Si)3GeZnX (X=Cl, Br, and I), and silylzinc chlorides, R(Me3Si)2SiZnCl (R=SiMe3, Ph), have been prepared and their molecular structures have been full determined by spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The germylzinc halides and silylzinc chlorides have dimeric structures consisting of two μ-halogen atoms. The reactivity of germylzinc chloride with substrates is also examined.