4406. Germane

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7782-65-2
Germanium hydride.
GeH4; mol wt 76.67.
Ge 94.74%, H 5.26%.

Description and references

Prepd by the action of lithium aluminum hydride on a germanium halide in ether soln: Finholt et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69, 2692 (1947); by reduction of GeO2 by sodium hydoborate: Griffiths, Inorg. Chem. 2, 375 (1963).

Properties

Colorless gas. mp 165°, bp 90°, d4142 1.523. Poisonous, flammable. Slightly sol in hot hydrochloric acid, dec in nitric acid.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are malaise, headache, giddiness, fainting; dyspnea; nausea, vomiting; kidney injury; hemolytic effects. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 150.