Vacuum-Ultraviolet Photolysis of GeCl4, HGeCl3, and H2GeCl2; The Matrix-Isolated Infrared Spectra of GeCl3 and GeCl2

The vacuum-ultraviolet photolysis of HGeCl3 and GeCl4 has resulted in evidence suggesting the stabilization of GeCl3 in argon, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide matrices at 4°K. Dichlorogermane photolysis has led to the stabilization and isolation of GeCl2. Additional evidence has been obtained for H-atom photodetachment resulting in the isolation of a GeCl3 species having two stretching frequencies, and therefore is pyramidal in shape. A normal coordinate calculation using a four-constant valence potential function suggests that the angle between the threefold symmetry axis and any of the GeCl bonds is approximately 73° (Cl–Ge–Cl angle, 111°), slightly greater than the sp3 hybridization angle.