Phenyltrichlorogermane synthesis by the reaction of chlorobenzene and the dichlorogermylene intermediate formed from elemental germanium and tetrachlorogermane

Phenyltrichlorogermane was synthesized with high selectivity, 96%, from elemental germanium, tetrachlorogermane, and chlorobenzene using no catalyst, almost all germanium and tetrachlorogermane being converted. Dichlorogermylene was formed as a reaction intermediate by the reaction of germanium with tetrachlorogermane and inserted into the C-Cl bond of chlorobenzene to yield phenyltrichlorogermane.