[1] Germanium dichloride is also formed from the decomposition of trichlorogermane, GeHCl3, at 70 °C.

Trichlorogermane is generated when germanium reacts with hydrogen chloride.

[2] With chloride ion, ionic compounds containing the pyramidal GeCl−3 ion have been characterised, for example [3] With rubidium and caesium chloride compounds, e.g. RbGeCl3 are produced; these have distorted perovskite structures.

[1] Germanium dichloride reacts with tetraethylammonium chloride to give the trichlorogermanate:[4] Molecular GeCl2 is often called dichlorogermylene, highlighting its resemblance to a carbene.

The structure of gas-phase molecular GeCl2 shows that it is a bent molecule, as predicted by VSEPR theory.