Germyl

Alkali metal germyl compounds have been made by reacting germane with the alkali metal dissolved in liquid ammonia, or other non-reactive solvent. Transition metal complexes cam be made by using lithium aluminium hydride to reduce a trichlorogermyl complex (−), which in turn can be made from the transition metal complex chloride and Germanium dichloride|. Salt elimination can be used in a reaction with monochlorogermane and a sodium salt of a transition metal anion: :. == Properties ==

Germyl compounds react with water, so water cannot be used as a solvent. Liquids that have been used as solvents include liquid ammonia, ethyl amine, diglyme, or hexamethylphosphoramide. The choice of solvent depends on the temperature desired, whether alkali metals are going to be dissolved, whether the solvent needs to be distilled, and also if it reacts with the solute. The bond between the metal ion and the germyl ion may be purely ionic, but may also be bonded via two bridging hydrogen atoms. The energy to rip a hydrogen atom off germane to make the neutral radical is . GeH4 → GeH3• + H•. Electron affinity for the radical is 1.6 eV: GeH3• + e− → GeH3−. Gas phase acidity of germane is ΔG is ; ΔH is for . Both the anion and radical have C3v symmetry, and are shaped as a triangular pyramid with germanium at the top, and three hydrogen atoms at the bottom. In the radical, the H-Ge-H angle is 110°. In the anion the H-Ge-H angle is about 93°. == Reactions ==

Germyl compounds gradually decompose at room temperature by releasing hydrogen and forming a metal germide. == List ==

Germylidyne with formula ≡GeH has a triple bond to the metal atom. Germylidene with base formula = has a double bond to the central metal. == References ==