Ge₂ Trapped by Triple Bonds between Two Metal Centers: The Germylidyne Complexes trans,trans‐[Cl(depe)₂MGeGeM(depe)₂Cl] (M=Mo, W) and Bonding Analyses of the MGeGeM Chain

Going straight: Thermolysis of the germylidyne complexes trans-[Cl(depe)2MGe(η1-Cp*)] (M=Mo, W; depe=Et2PCH2CH2PEt2, Cp*=C5Me5) leads upon cleavage of the GeCp* bond to 1, the first compounds in which a Ge2 unit is trapped between two transition-metal centers by triple bonds. Quantum chemical analyses suggest a weak conjugation of the M−Ge triple bonds in the linear chain MGeGeM.