P-substituted heavier group 14 analogues (Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) of diaminocarbenes are less established. It has been suggested this is due to a high energetic barrier associated with achieving a planar configuration at phosphorus, which would enable p(π)-p(π) overlap between the P lone pair and the empty p orbital of the group 14 center. Differences in donation ability of phosphorus versus nitrogen likely do not play a role in achieving p(π)-p(π) overlap because calculations indicate that the π donor capacity of phosphorus is similar to that of nitrogen. Consequently, all P atoms in reports on diphosphatetrylenes previous to ((Dipp)P)Ge contain pyramidal P with Ge-P bonds of exclusively σ character. By utilizing sterically encumbered (Dipp)P ligands, p(π)-p(π) in diphosphagermylene was achieved. This compound crystallizes as discrete monomers and is the first crystallographically characterized diphosphagermylene with a two-coordinate Ge center.
By crystal structure analysis, the bond lengths of the two germanium-phosphorus bonds are 2.2337 Å (P1-Ge) and 2.3823 Å (P2-Ge). While the phosphorus center of P1-Ge is pyramidal, the P2-Ge phosphorus is trigonal planar. Moreover, the planes of P1-Ge-P2 and C-P1-Ge are nearly in coincident.  These results are consistent with multiple bond character between a trigonal planar phosphorus (P1) and Ge.  It has been suggested that only one P of the diphosphagermylene is planar because there is competition between the two phosphorus lone pairs and the empty P orbitals at the Ge center if both phosphorus atoms are planar.  This would result in a weaker P-Ge interaction that would not be sufficient to overcome the energy of planarizing both P atoms.
In addition, ((Dipp)P)Ge was modified such that an iPr groups was added to the para position of (Dipp)P, to make (Tripp)P. The donating effect of an additional iPr group has little effect on the bonding and structure of the diphosphagermylene.