The nitridogermanates are chemical compounds containing germanium atoms bound to nitrogen. The simplest anion is GeN48−, but these are often condensed, with the elimination of nitrogen.
Nitridogermanates can form quite a few structures. Germanium can be in three different oxidation states. In the +2 oxidation state there is [GeIIN2]4− which has a boomerang shape. The most common is the +4 state with [GeIVN3]5− is a planar three pointed star, and [GeIVN4]8− as tetrahedra. Condensation of the tetrahedra yields [Ge2 IVN6]10−. The +3 state is rare, and represented by [GeIII 2N6]12− with a covalent bond between the two germanium atoms.[1] A few compounds also contain germanium in negative oxidation states −2 and −4 and so can be considered germanides as well.