Tris[(2-alkoxymethyl)phenyl]germanes and tris[(2-methylthiomethyl)phenyl]germane were prepared and their structures were investigated by means of X-ray crystallographic analysis and 7 3 Ge NMR spectra, which indicated incipient dative bonding between germanium and sulfur or oxygen atoms to make the germanium atom hexavalent and heptavalent, respectively.