Germanium tetrafluoride (GeF₄) is a chemical compound of

germanium Germanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. It is lustrous, hard-brittle, grayish-white and similar in appearance to silicon. It is a metalloid in the carbon group that is chemically similar to its group neighbors s ...

and

fluorine Fluorine is a chemical element with the symbol F and atomic number 9. It is the lightest halogen and exists at standard conditions as a highly toxic, pale yellow diatomic gas. As the most electronegative reactive element, it is extremely reacti ...

. It is a colorless gas.

Synthesis

Germanium tetrafluoride is formed by treating germanium with fluorine: : Ge + 2 F₂ → GeF₄ Alternatively

germanium dioxide Germanium dioxide, also called germanium(IV) oxide, germania, and salt of germanium, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ge O2. It is the main commercial source of germanium. It also forms as a passivation layer on pure germani ...

combines with

hydrofluoric acid Hydrofluoric acid is a Solution (chemistry), solution of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in water. Solutions of HF are colourless, acidic and highly Corrosive substance, corrosive. It is used to make most fluorine-containing compounds; examples include th ...

(HF): : GeO₂ + 4 HF → GeF₄ + 2 H₂O It is also formed during the thermal decomposition of a complex salt, Ba eF₆ : Ba(GeF₆) → GeF₄ + BaF₂

Properties

Germanium tetrafluoride is a noncombustible, strongly fuming gas with a garlic-like odor. It reacts with water to form hydrofluoric acid and germanium dioxide. Decomposition occurs above 1000 °C. Reaction of GeF₄ with fluoride sources produces GeF₅⁻ anions with octahedral coordination around Ge atom due to polymerization. The structural characterization of a discrete trigonal bipyramidal GeF₅⁻ anion was achieved by a "naked" fluoride reagent 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolium fluoride.

Uses

In combination with disilane, germanium tetrafluoride is used for in the synthesis of SiGe.

References

External links

"Reactivity of a Naked Fluoride Reagent and Controlled Design of Germanium Fluorido-Anions."
{{fluorine compounds Germanium(IV) compounds Gases Fluorides Metal halides