RATE CONSTANTS FOR H+(CH3)(4-N)GEHN, N = 1-3

Rate constants for the reactions of H atoms with the methylgermanes, ( CH3)(4-n)GeHn, n = 1-3, have been measured at 298 K in flash photolysi s experiments with H atoms produced by the mercury-sensitised photolys is of H-2 and monitored by Lyman-alpha absorption. The values obtained , for n = 1-3, respectively, are: k(1) = (3.86 +/- 0.23) X 10(-12), k( 2) = (5.22 +/- 0.31) X 10(-12), and k(3) = (4.97 +/- 0.27) X 10(-12) c m(3) s(-1). These results show that successive methyl substitution enh ances the reactivity of the Ge-H bond, the effect being proportionatel y the same as for the Si-H bond in the methylsilanes. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.