Abstract
The infrared spectra of GeH3OCOCH3 and (CH3)3GeOCOCH3 have been measured in the gas phase over the range 650–3900 cm−1. Assignments for the principal bands have been made and their values compared with those of analogous alkyl, methylsilyl, methyltin, and methyllead acetates. Carbonyl absorption bands shift to lower frequencies and carbon–oxygen (skeletal) absorptions to higher frequencies as M changes from C to Si to Ge in the series of acetates represented by (CH3)3MOCOCH3. These results suggest that the Ge—O bond is more polar than the Si—O bond and that the order of electron release in acetate derivatives is (CH3)3Ge > (CH3)3Si > (CH3)3C, which is consistent with the electronegativity order: C > Si > Ge.