[(OtBu)(2)C6H3](3)Ge+ a free germyl cation with aryl ligands

The reaction of Ar3GeBr (Ar = 2,6-(OtBu)(2)C6H3), which is the side product of the synthesis of the metalloid germanium cluster compound Ge8Ar6, with the silver salt of the weakly coordinating anion (WCA) [Al(ORf)(4)](-) (R-f = C(CF3)(3)) gives the free germyl cation Ar3Ge+. Quantum chemical calculations open an insight into the bonding situation of this first free cation exhibiting aryl ligands and a first reaction leading to Ar3GeOH is presented.