Bimetallic isoprofoxides of Be(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) with A1(III)

Abstract

Attempts have been made to synthesise bimetallic alkoxides with the general formulae M[A1(OPrⁱ)₄)]₂ and PrⁱOM [A1(OPrⁱ)⁴], M = Be(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II), by the reactions of the respective metal chlorides with KOPrⁱ and A1(OPrⁱ)₃ in stoichio-metric ratios. The products PrⁱOBe Al(OPrⁱ)₄] and M[A1(Prⁱ)₄]₂ (M = Be, Zn and Cd) were found to be volatile viscous liquids, soluble in benzene, carbon tetrachloride or chloroform. Hg[Al(OPrⁱ)₄]₂ (soluble in isopropanol only) could be isolated as a white solid which decomposed even at room temperature (~20°C). Attempts to synthesise compounds with the general formula PrⁱOM[A1(OPr¹)₄] ₂ (M = Zn, Cd and Hg) resulted in mixtures of benzene soluble (M = Zn and Cd) or isopropanol soluble (M = Hg) bimetallic isopropoxides with the formula M [A1 (OPrⁱ)₄]₂ and insoluble isopropoxides, M(OPrⁱ)₂, along with KCl in stoichiometric ratios. All these products were susceptible to hydrolysis. The products exhibited monomeric character in benzene/chloroform solution. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, ir and pmr spectra.