Organic Derivatives Of Germanium Ortho Esters Of 2-Alkoxyethanols

Abstract:
An investigation was conducted to determine the applicability of germanium ortho esters, similar to the organosilicates, as base stock materials for high-temperature fluids and lubricants. A series of tetrakis(2-alkoxyethoxy) germanes was synthesized by the reaction of sodium 2-alkoxyethoxides with gernanium tetrachloride after it was found that the germanium halide, unlike its silicon analog, failed to react with a 2-alkoxyethanol. Certain of the physical properties of the germanium ortho esters and their resemblance to those of the corresponding silicon derivatives are discussed. In the course of this work a new glycol ether, 2-cyclohexyloxyethanol, was prepared by the action of ethylene chlorohydrin on the sodium salt of cyclohexanol in the presence of xylene.