Michael Haas

Tetraacylgermanes: Highly Efficient Photoinitiators for Visible‐Light‐Induced Free‐Radical Polymerization

In this contribution a convenient synthetic method to obtain tetraacylgermanes Ge[C(O)R]4 (R=mesityl (1 a), phenyl (1 b)), a previously unknown class of highly efficient Ge-based photoinitiators, is described. Tetraacylgermanes are easily accessible via a one-pot synthetic protocol in >85 % yield, as confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The efficiency of 1 a,b as photoinitiators is demonstrated in photobleaching (UV/Vis), time-resolved EPR (CIDEP), and NMR/CIDNP investigations as well as by photo-DSC studies. Remarkably, the tetraacylgermanes exceed the performance of currently known long-wavelength visible-light photoinitiators for free-radical polymerization.

Photoinduced Brook-Type Rearrangement of Acylcyclopolysilanes.

Previously unknown 1,1,4-tris(trimethylsilyl)-4-acyldodecamethylcyclohexasilanes (Me3Si)2Si6Me12(Me3Si)COR (16a, R = tert-butyl; 16b, R = 1-adamantyl) have been synthesized by the reaction of the potassium silanides (Me3Si)2Si6Me12(Me3Si)K with acid chlorides ClCOR, and their photochemical rearrangement reactions have been studied. The molecular structures of 16a,b as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis exhibit an unusual twist-boat conformation of the cyclohexasilane ring. When 16a,b were photolyzed with λ >300 nm radiation, they underwent Brook type 1,3-Si → O migration reactions to generate the cyclohexasilanes 17a,b with exocyclic Si=C bonds along with smaller amounts of the ring-enlarged species 19a,b with endocyclic Si=C double bonds. While 17a,b were stable enough to allow characterization by NMR and UV absorption spectroscopy, the less stable products 19a,b could only be observed in the form of their methanol adducts.

Stable Silenolates and Brook-Type Silenes with Exocyclic Structures.

The first silenolates with exocyclic structures [(Me3Si)2Si(Si2Me4)2SiC(R)O]−K+ (2a: R = 1-adamantyl; 2b: mesityl; 2c: o-tolyl) were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding acylcyclohexasilanes 1a–c with KOtBu. NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis suggest that the aryl-substituted silenolates 2b,c exhibit increased character of functionalized silenes as compared to the alkyl-substituted derivative 2a due to the different coordination of the K+ counterion to the SiC(R)O moiety. 2b,c, thus, reacted with ClSiiPr3 to give the exocyclic silenes (Me3Si)2Si(Si2Me4)2Si=C(OSiiPr3)R (3b: R = Mes; 3c: o-Tol), while 2a afforded the Si-silylated acylcyclohexasilane 1d. The thermally remarkably stable compound 3b, which is the first isolated silene with the sp2 silicon atom incorporated into a cyclopolysilane framework, could be fully characterized structurally and spectroscopically.

From mono- to tetraacylgermanes: extending the scope of visible light photoinitiators

We have investigated the inititiaton efficiency of carefully selected germanium-based photointiators for radical polymerization. To establish a systematic relationship between structure and reactivity, we have developed a convenient synthetic protocol for the preparation of a trisacylgermane, closing the gap from mono- to tetraacylgermane photoinitiators. The studied acylgermanes display distinct, wavelength-dependent photobleaching upon irradiation up to 470 nm. In particular, tetraacylgermanes featuring ortho-alkyl substituents reveal red-shifted n–π* bands, in line with excellent photobleaching upon visible light irradiation. Quantum yields of decomposition (determined at 385 nm) have been found to be highest for bisacylgermanes. Germyl radicals produced upon triplet-state α-cleavage of the acylgermanes react remarkably fast with monomers. Addition rate constants to (meth)acrylates range from 0.4–4.5 × 108 M−1 s−1, depending on the substitution pattern. These values are clearly higher than those reported for related phosphorus-centered radicals derived from acylphosphane oxides. We have further established the nature of the products and side-products formed at initial stages of the polymerizations using chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP) experiments.

Synthesis and characterization of cyclic acylsilanes

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT ABSTRACT Acylcyclohexasilanes are interesting starting materials for the formation of cyclic silenes. Employing standard cyclopolysilane synthetic procedures, nine previously unknown acylcyclohexasilanes were synthesized and characterized by NMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography to elucidate substituent influences of the R-group attached to the carbonyl C-atom.

Tetraacylstannanes as Long‐Wavelength Visible‐Light Photoinitiators with Intriguing Low Toxicity

Abstract The first tetraacylstannanes Sn[(CO)R]4 (R=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl (1 a) and 2,6‐dimethylphenyl (1 b)), a class of highly efficient Sn‐based photoinitiators, were synthesized. The formation of these derivatives was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X‐ray crystallography. The UV/Vis absorption spectra of 1 a, b reveal a significant redshift of the longest wavelength absorption compared to the corresponding germanium compounds. In contrast to the known toxicity of organotin derivatives, the AMES test and cytotoxicity studies reveal intriguing low toxicity. The excellent performance of 1 as photoinitiators is demonstrated by photobleaching (UV/Vis) and NMR/CIDNP investigations, as well as photo‐DSC studies.

Recent Advances in Germanium‐Based Photoinitiator Chemistry

Abstract Acylgermanes provide an outstanding photoinduced reactivity at very useful absorption wavelengths. This encouraged multidisciplinary research groups to utilize them as highly effective and non‐toxic photoinitiators particularly for medical applications. In this Minireview, we present the most recent breakthroughs to synthesize acylgermanes. We also outline mechanistic aspects of photoinduced reactions of several acylgermane derivatives based on fundamental spectroscopic insights. These studies may aid future developments for tailor‐made photoinitiators.

Synthesis and characterization of the first relatively stable dianionic germenolates

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT ABSTRACT The previously unknown dianionic species 3a,b with exocyclic structures were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding cyclic acylgermanes with 2.1 equivalence of KOtBu. The structural properties of the resulting products were analyzed by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, single X-ray crystallography, and density functional theory quantum chemical calculations, and it has been found that 2a–c and 3b,c are best described by the keto-form (resonance structure I) in solution as well as in the solid state. The reactivity of 2a–c and 3b,c toward a variety of selected electrophiles was also examined.

Selective Synthesis and Derivatization of Germasilicon Hydrides

Mixed Si/Ge hydrides SixGeyHz are valuable precursors for the deposition of binary Si-Ge alloys. This work describes the synthesis and full characterization of the previously unknown germaisotetrasilane Ph3GeSi(SiH3)3 (2) on a multigram scale from the reaction of the lithium silanide LiSi(SiH3)3 with Ph3GeCl. The stability of the Si-Ge bond in 2 versus electrophiles and nucleophiles has been investigated with the primary aim of developing new approaches to mixed sila-H-germanes (H3Ge)xSi(SiH3)4-x. With 1 equiv of MeLi, 2 reacted cleanly under cleavage of one Si-Si bond to give Ph3GeSi(SiH3)2Li, which is a valuable synthon for further derivatization. In contrast, the dephenylation reaction of 2 with 1 or 2 equiv of CF3SO3H/iBu2AlH proceeded much less selectively and afforded the desired Ph/H-germasilanes Ph2HGeSi(SiH3)3 and PhH2GeSi(SiH3)3 along with considerable amounts of Si-Ge scission products.

Photochemical reactivity of cyclic acylgermanes

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT ABSTRACT After irradiation with light (λ > 360 nm) the newly synthesized cyclic acylgermanes 3a-c afforded the Ge–Ge coupling product 5 with remarkable selectivity, which can be explained by the enhanced stability of the cyclic germyl radical 4. The previously unknown compound 5 was isolated and fully characterized spectroscopically and by single crystal X-ray crystallography.