Germanes, synthesis

Halogermane reductions by complex hydrides are efficient, preferred methods for germane synthesis " . The complex hydrides used are MBH (M = Li, Na, K) and LiAlH.,. Reduction of Ge—X bonds by this method can be used for any molecule that otherwise is unsusceptible to complex hydride reduction or reaction. Lithium tetrahydroaluminate reduction of chiral halogermanes and alkoxygermanes results in inversion and retention of configuration, respectively. The LiBH., and LiAlH reactions require aprotic solvents, such as EtjO, THF, n-Bu O or glyme ethers. Sodium and K... 

The German synthesis plants used the following naain operations ... 

When organic sulfur is not removed with the carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, it must be eliminated by hot alkalized iron oxide, as was done in the German synthesis plants, or—probably more advantageously— by adsorption on activated carbon. The latter method was quite effective at the U.S. Bureau of Mines demonstration plant at Louisiana, Mo. 

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