GERMANIUM(IV) ETHOXIDE Property

Melting point:

-72°C

Boiling point:

185-6°C

Density 

1.14 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.407(lit.)

Flash point:

121 °F

form 

Liquid

color 

Colorless

Specific Gravity

1.134

Water Solubility 

Soluble in anhydrous alcohol and benzene. Hydrolyzes in water

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

Hydrolytic Sensitivity

7: reacts slowly with moisture/water

BRN 

3661173

CAS DataBase Reference

14165-55-0(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Ethanol, germanium(4+) salt (14165-55-0)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

T,Xi

Risk Statements 

10-36/37/38-23/24/25

Safety Statements 

26-36-45-36/37/39-27-16

RIDADR 

UN 1993 3/PG 3

WGK Germany 

3

F 

10-21

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

3

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

2905190019

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Warning

Hazard statements

H226Flammable liquid and vapour

H315Causes skin irritation

H319Causes serious eye irritation

H335May cause respiratory irritation

Precautionary statements

P210Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

GERMANIUM(IV) ETHOXIDE Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

Water-clear liquid. B.p. 186°C. Hydrolyzes easily, yielding GeO2.

Uses

It is a sol-gel intermediate for optical fibers and photosensitive.

Preparation

A solution of 9.8 g. of metallic sodium in a considerable excess of absolute alcohol is prepared. A solution of 20 g. of GeCl4 in absolute ether is added with stirring and exclusion of moisture. The mixture is refluxed for several hours and then decanted from the NaCl which separates. The solid is washed with absolute ether. The washings are combined with the main solution and the solvent is then driven off in vacuum. Finally, the tetraethoxygermane is distilled. It is redistilled at atmospheric pressure.

Purification Methods

Distil it through a 10cm Vigreux column (p 11) under reduced pressure. Alternatively distil it through a Fenske glass helices (p 11) column fitted with a total condensation variable take-off stillhead. Fractionate it under reduced pressure using a reflux ratio of 10:1. [Johnson & Fritz J Am Chem Soc 75 718 1953, Bradley J Chem Soc 4916 1956, Beilstein 1 IV 1308.]