The group 14 trifluorovinyl compounds Ph(3)ECF=CF(2) (E = Ge, Sn, Pb) have been prepared in high yield by the low-temperature reaction of the triphenylelement halide with trifluorovinyllithium, generated from tetrafluoroethane (CF(3)CH(2)F, HFC-134a) and 2 equiv of n-butyllithium. The X-ray crystal structures of these materials have been obtained, so affording the first structural series for such species. Subsequent reaction of Ph(3)GeCF=CF(2) with LiAlH(4) and a range of organolithium reagents has led to preparation of the 1,2-difluorovinylgermanes Ph(3)GeCF=CFR (R = H, Me, n-Bu, t-Bu, Ph). Multinuclear NMR spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic studies of these compounds have been undertaken and have shown unequivocally the exclusive trans-geometry of the 1,2-difluorovinyl moiety.