Rate constants for H+(CH3)4−nGeHn, n=1–3

Rate constants for the reactions of H atoms with the methylgermanes, (CH3)4−nGeHn, n=1–3, have been measured at 298 K in flash photolysis experiments with H atoms produced by the mercury-sensitised photolysis of H2 and monitored by Lyman-α absorption. The values obtained, for n=1–3, respectively, are: k1=(3.86±0.23)×10−12, k2=(5.22±0.31)×10−12, and k3=(4.97±0.27)×10−12 cm3 s−1. These results show that successive methyl substitution enhances the reactivity of the Ge–H bond, the effect being proportionately the same as for the Si–H bond in the methylsilanes.