A study of tetrathioloxygermanes, Ge(SR)4

Thioloxy germanes of the type Ge(SR)4(R = C2H5, C3H7n, C3H7iso, C4H9n, C4H7iso, C12H25n, C6H5CH2 and C6H5) have been synthesized by the ammonia method in good yields. Germanium tetra-isopropoxide has been found to interchange its isopropoxy groups with thiols in the presence of a catalyst. Reactions of Ge(SPrn)4 with ethanol (anhydrous) and of Ge(SBun)4 with water have been studied. A higher homologue Ge(SCH2C6H5)4 has also been obtained by a displacement reaction of Ge(SPrn)4 with toluene α-thiol.