Alkoxides and double alkoxides of zinc

Abstract

Zinc methoxide and isopropoxide were prepared by the reaction of zinc chloride with the appropriate lithium alkoxide and a few other alkoxides, Zn(OR)₂ (where R = Et, Buⁿ, Bu^t and C₈H₁₇ⁿ) have been synthesized by the alcoholysis of methoxide. All these alkoxides are non-volatile and insoluble in alcohols and other organic solvents. The non-formation of insoluble zinc ethoxide from zinc chloride by treating it with lithium ethoxide was found to be due to its complexing tendency with lithium chloride, giving soluble products of the type Li_xZn(OEt)₂Cl_x. A few soluble double alkoxides of lithium and zinc have also been isolated.