On the reaction of GeCl

The reaction of GeCl2·dioxane with KFeCp(CO)2 gives the polyhedral cluster compounds Ge6[FeCp(CO)2]61, Ge6[FeCp(CO)2]6Cl23 and Ge6[FeCp(CO)2]4[Fe2Cp2(CO)3]25. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that the substitution of a halide substituent in GeCl2 by FeCp(CO)2 favours the formation of oligomers with Ge-Ge bonds, giving access to polyhedral cluster compounds from easily accessible starting materials.