Synthesis of d-Galactose-Substituted Acylsilanes and Acylgermanes. Model Compounds for Visible Light Photoinitiators with Intriguing High Solubility.

A convenient synthetic method to obtain d-galactose-substituted acylsilanes and acylgermanes is described. These acyl group 14 compounds are easily accessible in good yields. Their structural properties were analyzed by a combination of NMR, single crystal X-ray crystallography, and UV/vis spectroscopy. A d-galactose-substituted tetraacylgermane represents a new interesting visible light photoinitiator based on its absorption properties as well as its high solubility.