Trans-selective hydrogermylation of alkynes promoted by methyliron and bis(germyl)hydridoiron complexes as a catalyst precursor.

Catalytic trans-selective hydrogermylation of terminal and internal alkynes was attained by a methyliron complex, CpFe(CO)(2)(Me), and a bis(germyl)hydridoiron(IV) complex as a catalyst precursor. The structures of (Z)-triphenyl-(2-phenylethenyl)germane and the bis(germyl)hydridoiron(IV) complexes CpFe(CO)(H)(GeR(3))(2) (R = Et, Ph) were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.