Infrared Spectra of the Novel Ge2H2 and Ge2H4 Species and the Reactive GeH1,2,3 Intermediates in Solid Neon, Deuterium and Argon

Abstract

Laser-ablated Ge atoms and H2 molecules in excess neon and argon react during condensation to produce GeH1,2,3,4 as identified from infrared spectra with D2 and HD substitution, and from agreement with frequencies determined in recent gas-phase GeH and GeH2 fluorescence spectra and DFT calculations. The novel digermanium species Ge2H2 and Ge2H4 are formed in further reactions. Identification of Ge2H2 with the dibridged structure and Ge2H4 in the trans-bent C2h form is made possible by isotopic substitution and quantum chemical frequency calculations, which demonstrate the value of a close working relationship between experiment and theory. The photosensitive GeH3- anion is formed through electron capture by a GeH3 radical. All four germanium deuterides are observed in pure deuterium, which shows that further GeD and GeD2 reactions with D2 may require activation energy.