GAS-PHASE ION-MOLECULE REACTIONS IN METHYLGERMANE OXYGEN, AMMONIA, AND UNSATURATED HYDROCARBON SYSTEMS

Gas phase ion-molecule reactions in systems containing CH3GeH3 and oxygen, or ammonia, or unsaturated hydrocarbons (C2H4, C3H6, C3H4) have been studied by Fourier-transform mass spectrometry and high-pressure mass spectrometry. The self-condensation processes of CH3GeH3 as well as the effects of the nature and the concentration of the reagent, and of the total pressure of the system on the formation of new Ge-O, Ge-N and Ge-C bonds are investigated. For each system the reaction pattern is presented and the gas phase reactivity of CH3GeH3 compared with that of GeH4 towards the same reagents. The formation of ionic species containing new Ge-C bonds observed in the CH3GeH3/unsaturated hydrocarbons systems is discussed in relation to the preparation of amorphous germanium carbides, which are promising materials for photovoltaic applications.