Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups
Published on: February 11, 2012
Synthesis, Properties, and Derivatization of Poly(dihydrogermane): A Germanium-Based Polyethylene Analogue
Haoyang Yu1, Chuyi Ni1, Alyxandra N Thiessen1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada.
Abstract:
Polygermanes are germanium-based analogues of polyolefins and possess polymer backbones made up catenated Ge atoms. In the present contribution we report the preparation of a germanium polyethylene analogue, polydihydrogermane (GeH2), via two straightforward approaches that involve topotactic deintercalation of Ca ions from the CaGe Zintl phase. The resulting (GeH2) possesses morphologically dependent chemical and electronic properties and thermally decomposes to yield amorphous hydrogenated Ge. We also show that the resulting (GeH2) provides a platform from which functionalized polygermanes can be prepared via thermally induced hydrogermylation-mediated pendant group substitution.
Related Concept Videos
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
Stability of Conjugated Dienes
A comparison of the enthalpies of hydrogenation of dienes reveals that conjugated dienes release less heat on hydrogenation, rendering them more stable than their nonconjugated analogs.
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
[4+2] Cycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes: Diels–Alder Reaction
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers

