Infrared spectroscopic identification of digermene, Ge2H4(X1Ag), and of the digermenyl radical, Ge2H3(X2A″), together with their deuterated counterparts in low temperature germane matrices

The digermene molecule, Ge2H4(X1Ag), and the digermenyl radical, Ge2H3(X2A″), together with their fully deuterated isotopomers were observed for the first time in low temperature germane and D4-germane matrices at 12 K via infrared spectroscopy upon irradiation of the ices with energetic electrons. The ν3 fundamentals were detected at 1825 cm−1 and 1317 cm−1 for Ge2H3(X2A″) and Ge2D3(X2A″), respectively, whereas the digermene molecule H2GeGeH2(X1Ag) and its D4-isotopomer were monitored via their absorptions at 845 cm−1 (ν11) and 1476 cm−1 (ν5), respectively. The infrared absorptions of the hitherto elusive digermene and digermenyl species may aid in monitoring chemical vapor deposition processes of germane via time resolved infrared spectroscopy and can also provide vital guidance to search for this hitherto undetected germanium-bearing molecule in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn.