Linear trigermoxanes, R'R:GeOGe(R3),0GeR:R', a new series of organogermanium compounds, were synthesized by reaction of a lithium organogermanolate with a suitable organogermanium dihalide. With alkyl or phenyl substituents, these trigermoxanes are structurally unstable viscous oils, due to redistribution reactions. When R3 substituents are bulky groups, such as mesityl, trigermoxanes are thermally and structurally stable oils; depending on the R' and R2 substituents their viscosities lie in the range 240 to more than 1500 cPo (mPa s) at 20 "C. When both terminal germanium atoms are substituted with two mesityl groups, trigermoxanes are stable glassy solids.

In order to replace silicones in some of their biomedical applications, e.g. syringe lubrication, implants etc., a series of digermoxanes (R'R2R3Ge)20 (R = n -alkyl, aryl) were synthesized. These compounds are thermally stable oils; their viscosities, depending on the nature of substituents, lie in the range 1-72 cPo (mPa s) at 20 "C.

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