A full report is given of our investigations into the synthesis of a series of linear peralkylpolygermanes, both by reacting organohalogenogermanes with alkali metals and by coupling of organohalogenogermanes with trialkylgermyl alkali metalThe latter type of reaction always gives in addition to the asymmetric compound R,GeGeR,', varying amounts of the symmetrical products R6Ge2 and R6'Ge,. Evidence is presented that these side-products are formed by a nucleophilic cleavage of the Ge--Ge bond of the primary asymmetrical coupling products, rather than by a halogen-metal exchange reaction.