Abstract The electrochemical reduction of triorganohalo-silanes and-germanes in 1, 2- dimethoxyethane has been investigated by polarography, cyclic voltammetry, controlled potential coulometry, and macroscale electrolysis. The reduction of the silicon compounds exhibits a single irreversible wave. The polarograms for the germanium compounds exhibit two irreversible waves. The second wave shifts to more anodic potentials with addition of ...