Analysis of Germanium Hydride Molecular Clusters

Isotope clusters in library electron ionization mass spectra of germanes often appear a few u lower than theoretically expected from elemental composition; for example, the dominant peak of the Ge(4)H(10)(+) pattern is shifted 8 u down. This phenomenon is due to combinations of three essential components: the molecular ion Ge(n)H(2n+2)(+) and two products of hydrogen elimination, Ge(n)H(+) and Ge(n)(+). Using these components, isotope clusters can be accurately projected for germanium hydrides from Ge(2)H(6) up to Ge(5)H(12).