Photocatalytic Generation of Germyl Radicals from Digermanes Enabling the Hydro/Deuteriogermylation of Alkenes.

We have developed a visible-light-induced method to photolyze digermanes through single-electron oxidation using a photocatalyst, in contrast to direct excitation, to generate germyl radicals and achieve the hydro/deuteriogermylation of alkenes. This protocol allows the previously elusive incorporation of the small trimethylgermyl group and deuterium, metabolically stable bioisosteres of -butyl and hydrogen, respectively, making this approach attractive in not only organic synthesis but also medicinal chemistry.