The pyrolysis of Ge₂H₆ generated GeH₄ and Ge₃H₈, while the pyrolysis of Ge₂H₆ in the presence of C₂H₅GeD₃ produced GeH₄, Ge₃H₈ and C₂H₅Ge₂DₓH₅₋ₓ. The following mechanism for the pyrolysis of Ge₂H₆ is consistent with the experiment results Ge₂H₆ Δ→ :GeH₂ + GeH₄ :GeH₂ + Ge₂H₆ → Ge₃H₈ The LiCl catalyzed cleavage of G₂H₆ in the presence of excess C₂H₅GeD₃ generated GeH₄. This result seems to suggest that the reaction mechanism proceeds via a germene intermediate.
