C-H activation of ethers and alkanes by germylene-aryl halide complexes.

Regioselective, room-temperature C-H activation of alkanes and ethers by stable germylenes and aryl halides is reported. Germylenes, Ge[CH(SiMe3)2]2 and Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2, and aryl halides, PhI, PhBr, and PhCl, have been employed. High yields of C-H activation products can be obtained through the use of high-dilution techniques.