The compounds R₃SiGePh₃ with R = Me or Et have been shown to undergo cleavage in NaOMe-MeOH to give Ph₃GeH. From rate measurements and solvent isotope effect studies it is concluded that the Ph₃Ge⁻anion separates in the rate-determining transition state. There is an unusually large steric effect, Me₃SiGePh₃ being roughly 1300 times as reactive as Et₃SiGePh₃.