Trimethylgermanium chloride is used to prepare trimethyl(2-thienyl)germane. It is also used as alkylating and precursor to prepare Grignard reagent in organic synthesis.
Trimethylgermanium chloride can be used as a precursor to germanium-masked dienolates for regioselective C-C bond formation, germanium enolates and α-germanate esters for aldol condensation reactions, Peterson-type reactions, and Claisen rearrangements.
Trimethylgermanium chloride is air-stable, but moisture sensitive. Germanium compounds are reputed to be of lower toxicity than stannanes. Use in a fume hood.
