Germabenzene

Germabenzene (C₅H₆Ge) is the parent representative of a group of chemical compounds containing in their molecular structure a benzene ring with a carbon atom replaced by a germanium atom. Germabenzene itself has been studied theoretically, but has not been synthesized. However, stable naphthalene derivatives do exist in the laboratory such as the 2-germanaphthalene-containing substance represented below. The germanium to carbon bond in this compound is shielded from potential reactants by a 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl or Tbt group. This compound is aromatic just as the other carbon group representatives silabenzene and stannabenzene.