Germanium metal or non-metal. Germanium is used as a catalyst in the production of man-made fibers

Please note that germanium is taken by us in any quantity and form, incl. the form of scrap. You can sell germanium by calling the telephone number in Moscow indicated above.

Germanium is a brittle, silvery-white semimetal discovered in 1886. This mineral is not found in its pure form. It is found in silicates, iron and sulfide ores. Some of its compounds are toxic. Germanium was widely used in the electrical industry, where its semiconductor properties came in handy. It is indispensable in the production of infrared and fiber optics.

What are the properties of germanium

This mineral has a melting point of 938.25 degrees Celsius. The indicators of its heat capacity still cannot be explained by scientists, which makes it indispensable in many areas. Germanium has the ability to increase its density when melted. It has excellent electrical properties, which makes it an excellent indirect-gap semiconductor.

If we talk about the chemical properties of this semimetal, it should be noted that it is resistant to acids and alkalis, water and air. Germanium dissolves in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and aqua regia.

mining germanium

Now a limited amount of this semi-metal is mined. Its deposits are much smaller compared to those of bismuth, antimony, and silver.

Due to the fact that the proportion of the content of this mineral in the earth's crust is quite small, it forms its own minerals due to the introduction of other metals into the crystal lattices. The highest content of germanium is observed in sphalerite, pyrargyrite, sulfanite, in non-ferrous and iron ores. It occurs, but much less frequently, in oil and coal deposits.

Use of germanium

Despite the fact that germanium was discovered quite a long time ago, it began to be used in industry about 80 years ago. Semi-metal was first used in military production for the manufacture of some electronic devices. In this case, it found use as diodes. Now the situation has changed somewhat.

The most popular areas of application of germanium include:

  • optics production. Semimetal has become indispensable in the manufacture of optical elements, which include optical windows of sensors, prisms, and lenses. Here, the transparency properties of germanium in the infrared region came in handy. Semimetal is used in the production of optics for thermal imaging cameras, fire systems, night vision devices;
  • production of radio electronics. In this area, semi-metal was used in the manufacture of diodes and transistors. However, in the 1970s, germanium devices were replaced by silicon ones, since silicon made it possible to significantly improve the technical and operational characteristics of manufactured products. Increased resistance to temperature effects. In addition, germanium devices emitted a lot of noise during operation.

The current situation with Germany

Currently, semimetal is used in the production of microwave devices. Telleride germanium has proven itself as a thermoelectric material. Germanium prices are now quite high. One kilogram of metallic germanium costs $1,200.

Buying Germany

Silver gray germanium is rare. The brittle semimetal is distinguished by its semiconductor properties and is widely used to create modern electrical appliances. It is also used to create high-precision optical instruments and radio equipment. Germanium is of great value both in the form of a pure metal and in the form of dioxide.

The Goldform company specializes in the purchase of germanium, various scrap metal, and radio components. We offer assistance with the assessment of the material, with transportation. You can mail germanium and get your money back in full.

Mini - abstract

"Element Germanium"

Target:

    Describe the element Ge

    Give a description of the properties of the element Ge

    Tell about the application and use of this element

    Element history ……….………………………………….……. one

    Element properties …..……………………………………..…… 2

    Application ……………….….…………………………………….. 3

    Health hazard ………..………………………....… 4

    Sources ………………………….…………………….…………… 5

From the history of the element..

Ggermanium(lat. Germanium) - a chemical element of group IV, the main subgroup of the periodic system of D.I. Mendeleev, denoted by the symbol Ge, belongs to the family of metals, serial number 32, atomic mass 72.59. It is a gray-white solid with a metallic luster.

The existence and properties of Germany were predicted in 1871 by Mendeleev and named this still unknown element - "Ekasilicon" because of the similarity of its properties with silicon.

In 1886, the German chemist K. Winkler, while examining the mineral, found that some unknown element was present in it, which was not detected by analysis. After hard work, he discovered the salts of a new element and isolated a certain amount of the element itself in its pure form. In the first report of the discovery, Winkler suggested that the new element was analogous to antimony and arsenic. Winkler intended to name the element Neptunium, but that name had already been given to one falsely discovered element. Winkler renamed the element he discovered to germanium (Germanium) in honor of his fatherland. And even Mendeleev, in a letter to Winkler, strongly supported the name of the element.

But until the second half of the 20th century, the practical use of Germany remained very limited. The industrial production of this element arose in connection with the development of semiconductor electronics.

Element propertiesGe

For medical needs, germanium was the first to be used most widely in Japan. Tests of various organogermanium compounds in animal experiments and in human clinical trials have shown that they positively affect the human body to varying degrees. The breakthrough came in 1967 when Dr. K. Asai discovered that organic germanium has a wide range of biological effects.

Properties:

    Carries oxygen in the tissues of the body - germanium in the blood behaves similarly to hemoglobin. It is involved in the process of oxygen transfer to the tissues of the body, which guarantees the normal functioning of all body systems.

    stimulates the immune system - germanium in the form of organic compounds promotes the production of gamma-interferons, which inhibit the reproduction of rapidly dividing microbial cells, and activates specific immune cells (T-cells)

    antitumor - germanium delays the development of malignant neoplasms and prevents the appearance of metastases, and also has protective properties against radiation exposure.

    biocidal (antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial) - germanium organic compounds stimulate the production of interferon - a protective protein produced by the body in response to the introduction of foreign bodies.

Application and Use of the Element Germanium in Life

In industrial practice, germanium is obtained mainly from by-products of the processing of non-ferrous metal ores. Germanium concentrate (2-10% Germany) is obtained in various ways, depending on the composition of the raw material. To isolate very pure germanium, which is used in semiconductor devices, metal is melted by zone. Single-crystal germanium, necessary for the semiconductor industry, is usually obtained by zone melting.

It is one of the most valuable materials in modern semiconductor technology. It is used to make diodes, triodes, crystal detectors, and power rectifiers. Germanium is also used in dosimetric devices and devices that measure the intensity of constant and variable magnetic fields. An important field of application of the element is infrared technology, in particular the production of infrared radiation detectors. Many alloys containing germanium are promising for practical use. For example, glasses based on GeO 2 and other Ge compounds. At room temperature, germanium is resistant to air, water, alkali solutions, and dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, but is easily soluble in aqua regia and in an alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide. And nitric acid oxidizes slowly.

Germanium alloys, which have high hardness and strength, are used in jewelry and denture technology for precision castings. Germanium is present in nature only in the bound state and never in the free state. The most common germanium-bearing minerals are argyrodite and germanite. Large reserves of germanium minerals are rare, but the element itself is widely found in other minerals, especially in sulfides (most often in zinc sulfides and silicates). Small amounts are also found in different types of hard coal.

World production Germany is 65 kg per year.

health hazard

Occupational health problems can be caused by dust dispersion during loading of germanium concentrate, grinding and loading of dioxide to isolate germanium metal, and loading of powdered germanium for remelting into bars. Other sources of harm to health are heat radiation from tube furnaces and during the process of melting powdered germanium into bars, as well as the formation of carbon monoxide.

Absorbed germanium is rapidly excreted from the body, mainly in the urine. There is little information on the toxicity of inorganic germanium compounds to humans. Germanium tetrachloride is a skin irritant. In clinical trials and other long-term cases of oral administration of cumulative doses up to 16 g of spirogermanium, an organic germanium antitumor drug, or other germanium compounds, neurotoxic and nephrotoxic activity has been noted. Such doses are usually not subjected to production conditions. Animal experiments to determine the effects of germanium and its compounds on the body have shown that the dust of metallic germanium and germanium dioxide, when inhaled in high concentrations, leads to a general deterioration in health (limitation of weight gain). Morphological changes similar to proliferative reactions were found in the lungs of animals, such as thickening of the alveolar sections and hyperplasia of the lymphatic vessels around the bronchi and blood vessels. Germanium dioxide does not irritate the skin, but upon contact with the moist mucous membrane of the eye, it forms germanic acid, which acts as an ocular irritant. Long-term intraperitoneal injections at doses of 10 mg/kg lead to changes in peripheral blood .

The most harmful germanium compounds are germanium hydride and germanium chloride. Hydride can cause acute poisoning. Morphological examinations of organs of animals that died during the acute phase revealed disorders in the circulatory system and degenerative cellular changes in parenchymal organs. Thus, hydride is a multipurpose poison that affects the nervous system and the peripheral circulatory system.

Germanium tetrachloride is a strong respiratory, skin, and eye irritant. Threshold concentration - 13 mg / m 3. At this concentration, it suppresses the pulmonary response at the cellular level in experimental animals. In high concentrations, it leads to irritation of the upper respiratory tract and conjunctivitis, as well as changes in the frequency and rhythm of breathing. Animals that survived acute poisoning developed catarrhal desquamative bronchitis and interstitial pneumonia a few days later. Germanium chloride also has a general toxic effect. Morphological changes were observed in the liver, kidneys and other organs of animals.

Sources of all information provided

Germanium- an element of the periodic table, extremely valuable for a person. Its unique properties as a semiconductor made it possible to create diodes widely used in various measuring instruments and radio receivers. It is needed for the production of lenses and optical fiber.

However, technical advances are only part of the advantages of this element. Organic germanium compounds have rare therapeutic properties, having a wide biological impact on human health and well-being, and this feature is more expensive than any precious metals.

The history of the discovery of germanium

Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev, analyzing his periodic table of elements, in 1871 suggested that it lacks one more element belonging to group IV. He described its properties, emphasized its similarity to silicon, and named it ekasilicon.

A few years later, in February 1886, a professor at the Freiberg Mining Academy discovered argyrodite, a new silver compound. Its full analysis was commissioned to be done by Clemens Winkler, professor of technical chemistry and the Academy's top analyst. After studying a new mineral, he isolated 7% of its weight from it as a separate unidentified substance. A careful study of its properties showed that they were ecasilicon, predicted by Mendeleev. It is important that Winkler's method for separating ekasilicon is still used in its industrial production.

History of the name Germany

Ekasilicon in Mendeleev's periodic table occupies position 32. At first, Clemens Winkler wanted to give him the name Neptune, in honor of the planet, which was also first predicted and discovered later. However, it turned out that one falsely discovered component was already called that, and unnecessary confusion and disputes could arise.

As a result, Winkler chose the name Germanium for him, after his country, in order to remove all differences. Dmitry Ivanovich supported this decision, securing such a name for his "brainchild".

What does germanium look like?

This expensive and rare element is fragile like glass. A standard germanium ingot looks like a cylinder with a diameter of 10 to 35 mm. The color of germanium depends on its surface treatment and can be black, steel-like, or silver. Its appearance is easily confused with silicon, its closest relative and competitor.

To see small germanium details in devices, special magnification tools are needed.

The use of organic germanium in medicine

The organic germanium compound was synthesized by a Japanese doctor K. Asai in 1967. He proved that he had antitumor properties. Continued research has proven that various germanium compounds have such important properties for humans as pain relief, lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of anemia, strengthening immunity and destroying harmful bacteria.

Directions of influence of germanium in the body:

  • Promotes saturation of tissues with oxygen and,
  • Accelerates wound healing
  • Helps cleanse cells and tissues from toxins and poisons,
  • Improves the state of the central nervous system and its functioning,
  • Accelerates recovery after heavy physical activity,
  • Increases the overall performance of a person,
  • Strengthens the protective reactions of the entire immune system.

The role of organic germanium in the immune system and in oxygen transport

The ability of germanium to carry oxygen at the level of body tissues is especially valuable for preventing hypoxia (oxygen deficiency). It also reduces the likelihood of developing blood hypoxia, which occurs when the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells decreases. Delivery of oxygen to any cell reduces the risk of oxygen starvation and saves from death the most sensitive to lack of oxygen cells: brain, kidney and liver tissues, heart muscles.

Germanium

GERMANIUM-I; m. Chemical element (Ge), a grayish-white solid with a metallic luster (is the main semiconductor material). Germanium plate.

Germanium, th, th. G-th raw material. G. ingot.

germanium

(lat. Germanium), a chemical element of group IV of the periodic system. The name from the Latin Germania - Germany, in honor of the homeland of K. A. Winkler. Silver gray crystals; density 5.33 g / cm 3, t pl 938.3ºC. Dispersed in nature (own minerals are rare); mined from ores of non-ferrous metals. Semiconductor material for electronic devices (diodes, transistors, etc.), alloy component, material for lenses in IR devices, ionizing radiation detectors.

GERMANIUM

GERMANIUM (lat. Germanium), Ge (read "hertempmanium"), a chemical element with atomic number 32, atomic mass 72.61. Natural germanium consists of five isotopes with mass numbers 70 (the content in the natural mixture is 20.51% by mass), 72 (27.43%), 73 (7.76%), 74 (36.54%), and 76 ( 7.76%). Outer electron layer configuration 4 s 2 p 2 . Oxidation states +4, +2 (valencies IV, II). It is located in the IVA group, in the 4th period in the Periodic Table of the Elements.
Discovery history
Was discovered by K. A. Winkler (cm. WINKLER Klemens Alexander)(and named after his homeland - Germany) in 1886 when analyzing the mineral argyrodite Ag 8 GeS 6 after the existence of this element and some of its properties were predicted by D. I. Mendeleev (cm. MENDELEEV Dmitry Ivanovich).
Being in nature
The content in the earth's crust is 1.5 10 -4% by weight. Refers to scattered elements. It does not occur in nature in free form. Contained as an impurity in silicates, sedimentary iron, polymetallic, nickel and tungsten ores, coals, peat, oils, thermal waters and algae. The most important minerals: germanite Cu 3 (Ge, Fe, Ga) (S, As) 4, stottite FeGe (OH) 6, plumbogermanite (Pb, Ge, Ga) 2 SO 4 (OH) 2 2H 2 O, argyrodite Ag 8 GeS 6 , rhenierite Cu 3 (Fe, Ge, Zn) (S, As) 4 .
Getting germanium
To obtain germanium, by-products of the processing of non-ferrous metal ores, ash from coal combustion, and some by-products of coke chemistry are used. Feedstock containing Ge is enriched by flotation. Then the concentrate is converted into GeO 2 oxide, which is reduced with hydrogen (cm. HYDROGEN):
GeO 2 + 4H 2 \u003d Ge + 2H 2 O
Semiconductor purity germanium with an impurity content of 10 -3 -10 -4% is obtained by zone melting (cm. ZONE MELTING), crystallization (cm. CRYSTALLIZATION) or thermolysis of volatile monogermane GeH 4:
GeH 4 \u003d Ge + 2H 2,
which is formed during the decomposition of compounds of active metals with Ge - germanides by acids:
Mg 2 Ge + 4HCl \u003d GeH 4 - + 2MgCl 2
Physical and chemical properties
Germanium is a silvery substance with a metallic luster. Crystal lattice stable modification (Ge I), cubic, face-centered diamond type, a= 0.533 nm (three other modifications were obtained at high pressures). Melting point 938.25 ° C, boiling point 2850 ° C, density 5.33 kg / dm 3. It has semiconductor properties, the band gap is 0.66 eV (at 300 K). Germanium is transparent to infrared radiation with a wavelength greater than 2 microns.
The chemical properties of Ge are similar to those of silicon. (cm. SILICON). Resistant to oxygen under normal conditions (cm. OXYGEN), water vapor, dilute acids. In the presence of strong complexing agents or oxidizing agents, when heated, Ge reacts with acids:
Ge + H 2 SO 4 conc \u003d Ge (SO 4) 2 + 2SO 2 + 4H 2 O,
Ge + 6HF \u003d H 2 + 2H 2,
Ge + 4HNO 3 conc. \u003d H 2 GeO 3 + 4NO 2 + 2H 2 O
Ge reacts with aqua regia (cm. AQUA REGIA):
Ge + 4HNO 3 + 12HCl = GeCl 4 + 4NO + 8H 2 O.
Ge interacts with alkali solutions in the presence of oxidizing agents:
Ge + 2NaOH + 2H 2 O 2 \u003d Na 2.
When heated in air to 700 °C, Ge ignites. Ge easily interacts with halogens (cm. HALOGENS) and gray (cm. SULFUR):
Ge + 2I 2 = GeI 4
With hydrogen (cm. HYDROGEN), nitrogen (cm. NITROGEN), carbon (cm. CARBON) germanium does not directly enter into the reaction; compounds with these elements are obtained indirectly. For example, Ge 3 N 4 nitride is formed by dissolving germanium diiodide GeI 2 in liquid ammonia:
GeI 2 + NH 3 liquid -> n -> Ge 3 N 4
Germanium oxide (IV), GeO 2, is a white crystalline substance that exists in two modifications. One of the modifications is partially soluble in water with the formation of complex germanic acids. Shows amphoteric properties.
GeO 2 interacts with alkalis as an acid oxide:
GeO 2 + 2NaOH \u003d Na 2 GeO 3 + H 2 O
GeO 2 interacts with acids:
GeO 2 + 4HCl \u003d GeCl 4 + 2H 2 O
Ge tetrahalides are non-polar compounds that are easily hydrolyzed by water.
3GeF 4 + 2H 2 O \u003d GeO 2 + 2H 2 GeF 6
Tetrahalides are obtained by direct interaction:
Ge + 2Cl 2 = GeCl 4
or thermal decomposition:
BaGeF6 = GeF4 + BaF2
Germanium hydrides are chemically similar to silicon hydrides, but GeH 4 monogermane is more stable than SiH 4 monosilane. Germanes form homologous series Ge n H 2n+2 , Ge n H 2n and others, but these series are shorter than those of silanes.
Monogermane GeH 4 is a gas that is stable in air and does not react with water. During long-term storage, it decomposes into H 2 and Ge. Monogermane is obtained by reduction of germanium dioxide GeO 2 with sodium borohydride NaBH 4:
GeO 2 + NaBH 4 \u003d GeH 4 + NaBO 2.
The very unstable GeO monoxide is formed by moderate heating of a mixture of germanium and GeO 2 dioxide:
Ge + GeO 2 = 2GeO.
Ge(II) compounds easily disproportionate with the release of Ge:
2GeCl 2 -> Ge + GeCl 4
Germanium disulfide GeS 2 is a white amorphous or crystalline substance, obtained by precipitation of H 2 S from acidic solutions of GeCl 4:
GeCl 4 + 2H 2 S \u003d GeS 2 Ї + 4HCl
GeS 2 dissolves in alkalis and ammonium or alkali metal sulfides:
GeS 2 + 6NaOH \u003d Na 2 + 2Na 2 S,
GeS 2 + (NH 4) 2 S \u003d (NH 4) 2 GeS 3
Ge can be a part of organic compounds. Known are (CH 3) 4 Ge, (C 6 H 5) 4 Ge, (CH 3) 3 GeBr, (C 2 H 5) 3 GeOH and others.
Application
Germanium is a semiconductor material used in engineering and radio electronics in the production of transistors and microcircuits. Thin films of Ge deposited on glass are used as resistances in radar installations. Alloys of Ge with metals are used in sensors and detectors. Germanium dioxide is used in the production of glasses that transmit infrared radiation.


encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .

Synonyms:

See what "germanium" is in other dictionaries:

    A chemical element discovered in 1886 in the rare mineral argyrodite found in Saxony. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. germanium (named in honor of the motherland of the scientist who discovered the element), chem. element, ... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

    - (Germanium), Ge, a chemical element of group IV of the periodic system, atomic number 32, atomic mass 72.59; non-metal; semiconductor material. Germanium was discovered by the German chemist K. Winkler in 1886 ... Modern Encyclopedia

    germanium- Ge Group IV element systems; at. n. 32, at. m. 72.59; tv. thing in with metallic. glitter. Natural Ge is a mixture of five stable isotopes with mass numbers 70, 72, 73, 74 and 76. The existence and properties of Ge were predicted in 1871 by D. I. ... ... Technical Translator's Handbook

    Germanium- (Germanium), Ge, a chemical element of group IV of the periodic system, atomic number 32, atomic mass 72.59; non-metal; semiconductor material. Germanium was discovered by the German chemist K. Winkler in 1886. ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

    - (lat. Germanium) Ge, a chemical element of group IV of the periodic system, atomic number 32, atomic mass 72.59. Named from the Latin Germania Germany, in honor of the homeland of K. A. Winkler. Silver gray crystals; density 5.33 g/cm³, mp 938.3 ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

    - (symbol Ge), a white-gray metallic element of group IV of the periodic table of MENDELEEV, in which the properties of yet undiscovered elements, in particular, germanium (1871), were predicted. The element was discovered in 1886. A by-product of zinc smelting ... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

    Ge (from lat. Germania Germany * a. germanium; n. Germanium; f. germanium; and. germanio), chem. element IV group periodic. systems of Mendeleev, at.s. 32, at. m. 72.59. Natural G. consists of 4 stable isotopes 70Ge (20.55%), 72Ge ... ... Geological Encyclopedia

    - (Ge), synthetic single crystal, PP, point symmetry group m3m, density 5.327 g/cm3, Tmelt=936 °C, solid. on the Mohs scale 6, at. m. 72.60. Transparent in the IR region l from 1.5 to 20 microns; optically anisotropic, for l=1.80 µm eff. refraction n=4.143.… … Physical Encyclopedia

    Exist., number of synonyms: 3 semiconductor (7) ecasilicon (1) element (159) ... Synonym dictionary

    GERMANIUM- chem. element, symbol Ge (lat. Germanium), at. n. 32, at. m. 72.59; brittle silvery gray crystalline substance, density 5327 kg/m3, vil = 937.5°C. Dispersed in nature; it is mined mainly during the processing of zinc blende and ... ... Great Polytechnic Encyclopedia

Germanium(lat. Germanium), Ge, a chemical element of group IV of the periodic system of Mendeleev; serial number 32, atomic mass 72.59; gray-white solid with a metallic luster. Natural Germanium is a mixture of five stable isotopes with mass numbers 70, 72, 73, 74 and 76. The existence and properties of Germany were predicted in 1871 by D. I. Mendeleev and called this still unknown element ekasilicium due to the similarity of its properties with silicon. In 1886, the German chemist K. Winkler discovered a new element in the mineral argyrodite, which he named Germany in honor of his country; Germanium turned out to be quite identical to ecasilience. Until the second half of the 20th century, the practical application of Germany remained very limited. Industrial production in Germany arose in connection with the development of semiconductor electronics.

The total content of Germanium in the earth's crust is 7·10 -4% by mass, that is, more than, for example, antimony, silver, bismuth. However, Germany's own minerals are extremely rare. Almost all of them are sulfosalts: germanite Cu 2 (Cu, Fe, Ge, Zn) 2 (S, As) 4, argyrodite Ag 8 GeS 6, confieldite Ag 8 (Sn, Ge)S 6 and others. The bulk of Germany is scattered in the earth's crust in a large number of rocks and minerals: in sulfide ores of non-ferrous metals, in iron ores, in some oxide minerals (chromite, magnetite, rutile, and others), in granites, diabases and basalts. In addition, germanium is present in almost all silicates, in some deposits of coal and oil.

Physical properties Germany. Germanium crystallizes in a diamond-type cubic structure, unit cell parameter a = 5.6575Å. The density of solid Germanium is 5.327 g/cm 3 (25°C); liquid 5.557 (1000°C); t pl 937.5°C; bp about 2700°C; thermal conductivity coefficient ~60 W/(m K), or 0.14 cal/(cm sec deg) at 25°C. Even very pure germanium is brittle at ordinary temperatures, but above 550°C it lends itself to plastic deformation. Hardness Germany on a mineralogical scale 6-6,5; compressibility coefficient (in the pressure range 0-120 Gn/m 2 , or 0-12000 kgf/mm 2) 1.4 10 -7 m 2 /mn (1.4 10 -6 cm 2 /kgf); surface tension 0.6 N/m (600 dynes/cm). Germanium is a typical semiconductor with a band gap of 1.104 10 -19 J or 0.69 eV (25°C); electrical resistivity high purity Germany 0.60 ohm-m (60 ohm-cm) at 25°C; the mobility of electrons is 3900 and the mobility of holes is 1900 cm 2 /v sec (25 ° C) (with an impurity content of less than 10 -8%). Transparent to infrared rays with a wavelength greater than 2 microns.

Chemical properties Germany. In chemical compounds, germanium usually exhibits valences of 2 and 4, with compounds of 4-valent germanium being more stable. At room temperature, germanium is resistant to air, water, alkali solutions, and dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, but is easily soluble in aqua regia and in an alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide. Nitric acid slowly oxidizes. When heated in air to 500-700°C, germanium is oxidized to GeO and GeO 2 oxides. Germany oxide (IV) - white powder with t pl 1116°C; solubility in water 4.3 g/l (20°C). According to its chemical properties, it is amphoteric, soluble in alkalis and with difficulty in mineral acids. It is obtained by calcining the hydrated precipitate (GeO 3 nH 2 O) released during the hydrolysis of GeCl 4 tetrachloride. Fusion of GeO 2 with other oxides can be obtained derivatives of germanic acid - metal germanates (Li 2 GeO 3 , Na 2 GeO 3 and others) - solids with high melting points.

When germanium reacts with halogens, the corresponding tetrahalides are formed. The reaction proceeds most easily with fluorine and chlorine (already at room temperature), then with bromine (weak heating) and iodine (at 700-800°C in the presence of CO). One of the most important compounds Germany GeCl 4 tetrachloride is a colorless liquid; t pl -49.5°C; bp 83.1°C; density 1.84 g/cm 3 (20°C). Water strongly hydrolyzes with the release of a precipitate of hydrated oxide (IV). It is obtained by chlorination of metallic Germany or by the interaction of GeO 2 with concentrated HCl. Also known are Germany dihalides of the general formula GeX 2 , GeCl monochloride, Ge 2 Cl 6 hexachlorodigermane, and Germany oxychlorides (for example, CeOCl 2).

Sulfur reacts vigorously with Germany at 900-1000°C to form GeS 2 disulfide, a white solid, mp 825°C. GeS monosulfide and similar compounds of Germany with selenium and tellurium, which are semiconductors, are also described. Hydrogen slightly reacts with germanium at 1000-1100°C to form germine (GeH) X, an unstable and easily volatile compound. By reacting germanides with dilute hydrochloric acid, germanohydrogens of the series Ge n H 2n+2 up to Ge 9 H 20 can be obtained. Germylene composition GeH 2 is also known. Germanium does not directly react with nitrogen, however, there is Ge 3 N 4 nitride, which is obtained by the action of ammonia on Germanium at 700-800°C. Germanium does not interact with carbon. Germanium forms compounds with many metals - germanides.

Numerous complex compounds of germany are known, which are becoming increasingly important both in the analytical chemistry of germanium and in the processes of its preparation. Germanium forms complex compounds with organic hydroxyl-containing molecules (polyhydric alcohols, polybasic acids, and others). Heteropolyacids Germany were obtained. As well as for other elements of group IV, Germany is characterized by the formation of organometallic compounds, an example of which is tetraethylgermane (C 2 H 5) 4 Ge 3.

Getting Germany. In industrial practice, germanium is obtained mainly from by-products of the processing of non-ferrous metal ores (zinc blende, zinc-copper-lead polymetallic concentrates) containing 0.001-0.1% Germany. Ash from coal combustion, dust from gas generators and waste from coke plants are also used as raw materials. Initially, germanium concentrate (2-10% Germany) is obtained from the listed sources in various ways, depending on the composition of the raw material. The extraction of Germany from the concentrate usually includes the following stages: 1) chlorination of the concentrate with hydrochloric acid, its mixture with chlorine in an aqueous medium or other chlorinating agents to obtain technical GeCl 4 . To purify GeCl 4, rectification and extraction of impurities with concentrated HCl are used. 2) Hydrolysis of GeCl 4 and calcination of hydrolysis products to obtain GeO 2 . 3) Reduction of GeO 2 with hydrogen or ammonia to metal. To isolate very pure germanium, which is used in semiconductor devices, metal is melted by zone. Single-crystal germanium, necessary for the semiconductor industry, is usually obtained by zone melting or by the Czochralski method.

Application Germany. Germanium is one of the most valuable materials in modern semiconductor technology. It is used to make diodes, triodes, crystal detectors, and power rectifiers. Single-crystal germanium is also used in dosimetric instruments and instruments that measure the intensity of constant and alternating magnetic fields. An important area of ​​application in Germany is infrared technology, in particular the production of infrared detectors operating in the 8-14 micron region. Many alloys containing germanium, glasses based on GeO2, and other germanium compounds are promising for practical use.