Synthesis of low-oxidation-state germanium clusters comprising a functional anchor group - synthesis and characterization of [(Ge 0 ) 5 (Ge-R) 3 (Ge-(CH 2 ) n -CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH 2 )] with R = Si(SiMe 3 ) 3 .

The first alkenyl-functionalized, uncharged deltahedral germanium clusters [{Si(SiMe3 )3 }3 Ge9 (CH2 )n CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH2 ] (n = 1 or 3) comprising five Ge0 atoms are presented. All compounds were NMR-spectroscopically and mass-spectrometrically characterized. [{Si(SiMe3 )3 }3 Ge9 (CH2 )3 CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH2 ] was further characterized by X-ray structure analysis and Raman spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent NMR studies reveal dynamic behavior for both compounds in solution at room temperature. The propenyl derivative [{Si(SiMe3 )3 }3 Ge9 CH2 CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH2 ] undergoes fast decomposition in solution. The possibility of the comparatively stable pentenyl-substituted Ge9 cluster as a candidate for follow-up reactions is highlighted.