A genuine germylene PGeP pincer ligand for formic acid dehydrogenation with iridium.

We report an iridium system constructed around a long-tethered PGeP ligand that facilitates access to the less common germylene form, so far unreported for an 'NHC-type' Ge ligand. Its bonding is substantiated by computational studies and we have demonstrated its use for the catalytic dehydrogenation of formic acid, highlighting the potential of this underdeveloped type of ligand.