Metal hydrides germane

Metal hydrides Germane, lithium aluminum hydride, potassium hydride, sodium hydride... 

Preparative hazard See Bromine Germane See related METAL HYDRIDES... 

It is clear that conventional metal hydride hydrogen storage is not a feasible option for storage of land or air vehicle propulsion fuel. However, metal hydride hydrogen storage has been successfully employed on the German, Class 212, fuel cell-powered submarine, where very long underwater endurance is not required. 

In the case of metal hydrides, recharging the system requires the chemical heat of reaction between the metal and the hydride to be removed (via an in-tank heat exchanger). Large tanks, as used on the German Class 212 submarine, require long recharge times, of the order of one day. 

The best prospects for hydrogen would appear to be in niche applications that do not represent a major fuel consumption, or where the power requirement is a small fraction of the vehicle s propulsion power. An example of this is the air-independent propulsion system on board the German Class 212 submarine. The particular requirements of this vehicle allow the use of heavy hydrogen storage as a metal hydride. 

Thermal elimination of germyl and hydride moieties from germyl metal hydrides yields germanes ... 

A. Hajos, Methoden Org. Chem. (Houhen-Weyl), 1981, IV/ld, 1. This is an excellent comprehensive review, entitled Metal Hydrides or Complex Hydrides as Reducing Agents , with many leading references and selected practical details (in German). 

Silane, germane, and stannane can be synthesized by the reduction of a variety of silicon, germanium, or tin compounds with active metal hydrides. The general method described below, involving the lithium hydroaluminate (LiAlHi) reduction of silicon tetrachloride and tin (IV) chloride, is convenient for the eflficient preparation of 1-50 mmoles of silane and stannane. The method is easily adapted to the synthesis of the deuterio compounds, i.e., silane-d4, germane-dt, and stannane-d4, by... 

Covalent volatile hydrides, such as arsine, silane, or germane, are highly toxic. Ionic alkali metal hydrides are corrosive to skin, as they form caustic alkalies readily with moisture. 

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