Germanium dichloride is a chemical compound of germanium and chlorine with the formula . It is a yellow solid. Germanium dichloride is an example of a compound featuring germanium in the +2 oxidation state.
Solid germanium dichloride can be produced by comproportionation by passing germanium tetrachloride,, over germanium metal at 300 °C and reduced pressure (0.1 mmHg).
Germanium dichloride is also formed from the decomposition of trichlorogermane,, at 70 °C. Trichlorogermane is generated when germanium reacts with hydrogen chloride. This reaction involves dehydrohalogenation.
Another route to germanium dichloride is the reduction of germanium tetrachloride with hydrogen at 800 °C.
is hydrolysed to give yellow germanium(II) hydroxide, which on warming gives brown germanium monoxide:
Alkalizing a solution containing germanium(II) ions:
Germanium oxides and hydroxides are amphoteric.Solutions of in HCl are strongly reducing.[1] With chloride ion, ionic compounds containing the pyramidal ion have been characterised, for example [2] With rubidium and caesium chloride compounds, e.g. are produced; these have distorted perovskite structures.
Germanium dichloride reacts with tetraethylammonium chloride to give the trichlorogermanate:[3]
Molecular is often called dichlorogermylene, highlighting its resemblance to a carbene. The structure of gas-phase molecular shows that it is a bent molecule, as predicted by VSEPR theory.[4] The dioxane complex,, has been used as a source of molecular for reaction syntheses, as has the in situ reaction of and Ge metal. is quite reactive and inserts into many types of chemical bonds.[5] Usually, germanium dichloride is generated from germanium dichloride dioxane.