The electrochemical oxidation of five germole derivatives: 1,1-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-germacyclopentadiene (I), 1,1-dimethyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-germacyclopentadiene (II), 1-methyl-l-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-germacyclopentadiene (III), 1,1-dichloro-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-germacyclopentadiene (IV) and a bicyclic compound (V) 1,1'-dimethyl-2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5'-octaphenyl bisilole, bonded through a Si-Si bond, has been investigated, both by cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis. The effects of the nature of electrolyte, atmosphere and substituents attached to the germanium atom in the germacyclopentadiene ring on the outcome of the electrochemical oxidation are discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.