All-metallagermoxane with an adamantanoid cage structure: [(Cp∗Ru(CO)<inf>2</inf>Ge)<inf>4</inf>(μ-O)<inf>6</inf>] (Cp∗ = η⁵-C<inf>5</inf>Me<inf>5</inf>)

In an attempt to synthesize a zero valent germanium compound, we have carried out the reaction of [(Cp∗RuCO)(GeCl2)]2, 1 with potassium metal that led to the formation of a metallagermoxane [(Cp∗Ru(CO)2Ge)4(μ-O)6], 2. Compound 2 is the first example of a tetrametallagermoxane with an exo-{Cp∗Ru(CO)2} fragment. DFT calculations were used to examine the key intermediates associated with the formation of 2.