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Germane

Germane
Structural formula of germane
Ball-and-stick model of the germane molecule
Space-filling model of the germane molecule
Names
IUPAC name
Germane
Other names
Germanium tetrahydride
Germanomethane
Monogermane
Identifiers
3D model (Jmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.029.055
KEGG
PubChem CID
RTECS number LY4900000
UN number 2192
Properties
GeH4
Molar mass 76.62 g/mol1
Appearance Colorless gas
Odor Pungent
Density 3.3 kg/m3 gas
Melting point −165 °C (108 K)
Boiling point −88 °C (185 K)
low
Vapor pressure >1 atm
Structure
Tetrahedral
O D
Hazards
Main hazards Toxic, flammable, may ignite spontaneously in air
Safety data sheet ICSC 1244
NFPA 704
Flammability code 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g., propane Health code 4: Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. E.g., VX gas Reactivity code 3: Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition but requires a strong initiating source, must be heated under confinement before initiation, reacts explosively with water, or will detonate if severely shocked. E.g., fluorine Special hazards (white): no codeNFPA 704 four-colored diamond
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL (Permissible)
 none
REL (Recommended)
 TWA 0.2 ppm (0.6 mg/m3)
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 N.D.
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Methane
Silane
Stannane
Plumbane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
YesY  (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references

Germane is the chemical compound with the formula GeH4, and the germanium analogue of methane. It is the simplest germanium hydride and one of the most useful compounds of germanium. Like the related compounds silane and methane, germane is tetrahedral. It burns in air to produce GeO2 and water. Germane is a group 14 hydride.

Germane has been detected in the atmosphere of Jupiter.

Germane is typically prepared by reduction of germanium compounds, notably germanium dioxide, with hydride reagents such as sodium borohydride, potassium borohydride, lithium borohydride, lithium aluminium hydride, sodium aluminium hydride. The reaction with borohydrides is catalyzed by various acids and can be carried out in either aqueous or organic solvent. On laboratory scale, germane can be prepared by the reaction of Ge(IV) compounds with these hydride reagents. A typical synthesis involved the reaction of Na2GeO3 with sodium borohydride.

Other methods for the synthesis of germane include electrochemical reduction and a plasma-based method. The electrochemical reduction method involves applying voltage to a germanium metal cathode immersed in an aqueous electrolyte solution and an anode counter-electrode composed of a metal such as molybdenum or cadmium. In this method, germane and hydrogen gases evolve from the cathode while the anode reacts to form solid molybdenum oxide or cadmium oxides. The plasma synthesis method involves bombarding germanium metal with hydrogen atoms (H) that are generated using a high frequency plasma source to produce germane and digermane.


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