Chemical reactions of the elements

germanium symbol icon

Reaction of germanium with air

The surface of lumps of germanium is protected by a very thin layer of germanium dioxide, GeO2. It is more reactive than silicon, which is immediately above germanium in the periodic table, but not by much. At red heat, germanium reacts with oxygen in air to from germanium dioxide.

Ge(s) + O2(g) → GeO2(s)

Reaction of germanium with water

The surface of lumps of germanium is protected by a very thin layer of germanium dioxide, GeO2. It is more reactive than silicon, which is immediately above germanium in the periodic table, but not by much. This oxide layer renders germanium more or less inert to water.

Reaction of germanium with the halogens

Reaction of germanium with acids

Reaction of germanium with bases

WebElements Shop

WebElements now has an online shop at which you can buy periodic table posters, mugs, T-shirts, games, molecular models, and more.

WebElements poster Periodic table t-shirts Periodic table mouse mats Molymod molecular model kits Periodic table card games

Isotope data Crystal structure Electronic data History Geology Atom sizes Compounds
germanium atomic number