phosphoric acid; NaBH4 in water 30percent H3PO4 placed in a flask and attached to a vacuum line via a reflux condenser kept at -20°C, (CF3)3GeI added to ice-cooled acid, soln. NaBH4/H2O added over 1h (pressure maintained at 600 mbar), evolved gases collected (2 traps, -196°C); fractional condensation, isothermal distn. at 0°C (slit tube column), unreacted (CF3)3GeI and small amts. (CF3)2GeH2 also obtained;

excess AgF; 20°C, 24 h;

AgCl 20°C, 24 h; excess of AgCl;

twofold excess of Cd(CH3)2; 20°C, 24 h;

at 155°C in sealed tube; relative amounts of (CF3)4Ge and (CF3)2GeI2 starting from 1.00 (CF3)3GeI given after 15 h, 30 h and 90 h;