Germanium

Location:  Group 14, Period 4
Atomic Weight:  72.59
Coordination Number:  6
Chemical Form in Solution:  Ge(OH)_x(F)_y^2-

Storage & Handling:  Keep tightly sealed when not in use. Store and use at 20 ± 4°C. Do not pipet from container. Do not return portions removed for pipetting to container.

Chemical Compatibility:  Stable in HCl, HF, H₃PO₄, H₂SO₄, and HNO₃ as the Ge(OH)_x(F)_y^2-. Avoid neutral to basic media. Unstable at ppm levels with metals that would pull F^- away (i.e. - Do not mix with Alkaline or Rare Earths or high levels of transition elements unless they are fluorinated). Stable with most inorganic anions with a tendency to hydrolyze.

Stability:  2-100 ppb levels - stability unknown alone or mixed with all other metals as the Ge(OH)_x(F)_y^2-. 1-10,000 ppm single element solutions as the Ge(OH)_x(F)_y^2- chemically stable for years in 2-5% HNO₃ / trace HF in a LDPE container.

Ge Containing Samples (Preparation & Solution):  Metal (soluble in 1:1:1 H₂O / HF / HNO₃); Oxide - GeO (readily soluble in HCl or NaOH), GeO₂ (fuse in Pt⁰with Na₂CO₃ followed by HCl solution of the fuseate); Geological Samples( fuse in Pt⁰ with Na₂CO₃ followed by HCl solution of the fuseate); Organic Matrices (dry ash at 450°C in Pt⁰ and dissolve by gently warming with 1:1:1 H₂O / HF / H₂SO₄ or fuse ash with Na₂CO₃ and dissolve fuseate with HCl / H₂O).