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

Laser-ablated Ge atoms and H 2 molecules in excess neon and argon react during condensation to produce GeH 1,2,3,4 as identified from infrared spectra with D 2 and HD substitution, and from agreement with frequencies determined in recent gas-phase GeH and GeH 2 fluorescence spectra and DFT calculations. The novel digermanium species Ge 2 H 2 and Ge 2 H 4 are formed in further reactions. Identification of Ge 2 H 2 with the dibridged structure and Ge 2 H 4 in the trans-bent C 2 h 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 GeH 3 - anion is formed through electron capture by a GeH 3 radical. All four germanium deuterides are observed in pure deuterium, which shows that further GeD and GeD 2 reactions with D 2 may require activation energy.