title: Germane photochemistry.  Photolysis of gas mixtures of planetary interest.
abstract: Photolysis of germane (GeH4) in the presence of acetylene (C2H2), propyne (C3H4) or phosphine (PH3) with a 185 nm mercury lamp has been studied.  The volatile products formed in these reactions are characterized by 1H, 31P and 13C NMR.  Vinylgermanes are the first reaction products formed in the photolysis of GeH4 with alkynes.  A reaction pathway is proposed.  The initial step is the dissociation of germane 1 to hydrogen and GeH3 radicals.  Addition of the germyl radical on alkyne is proposed as the next step.  Vinyl-germanes are then formed by radical combination.  Photolysis of ethenylgermane 2 gives diethenylgermane 3 in the presence of acetylene and digermaethane 4 in the presence of GeH4.  The application of these findings to Jovian and Saturn atmospheric chemistry is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Université de Rennes, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Guillemin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lassalle
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Janati
mesh_terms: D000114:Acetylene / Q000032:analysis; D000480:Alkynes / Q000032:analysis; D001272:Atmosphere; D018559:Exobiology; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005857:Germanium; D018538:Jupiter; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010720:Phosphines / Q000032:analysis; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D010782:Photolysis; D018539:Saturn; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D010720:Phosphines; D005857:Germanium; D009584:Nitrogen; D000114:Acetylene