Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Methylated and Inorganic Germanium as the Halide Complex

Abstract

Methylated and inorganic germanium compounds have been separated by liquid-liquid extraction from aqueous hydrohalogenic acid (HX) solution into carbon tetrachloride. The germanium compounds dissolve in water as their hydroxides ((CH3)nGe(OH)4.n: n = 0, 1, 2 or 3), and form their halide complexes ((CH3)nGeX4.n) in HX solution. Large difference in the extraction constants and stability constants of (CH3)nGeX4.n are ascribed to the inductive effect of the methyl groups which reduces the stability of the bond between the germanium atom (hard acid) and a hydroxide ion (hard base).