Commercially Available Simple Metal Alkoxide

A large number of metal alkoxides are available commercially (see Table 6.2). These are mostly the derivatives of main group or early transition elements M (III), M(rv), and M(V). The availability is dictated by request Thus, the derivatives of Al, Ti, and Zr are large-scale products offered by multiple producers. The alkoxides of rare earth elements became broadly available in the 1990s in connection with the studies of high-temperature superconductor materials, produced then in particular by sol-gel synthesis. Their accessibility strongly declined since then as they are used at the moment mostly as additives to luminescent materials and the desired quantities have apparently decreased. 

Precursor Appearance and properties Available characterization References 

Aluminum -propoxide, Al(0 Pr)3 Colorless solid, mp 106, bp Solubility, cryoscopy, ebullioscopy [69] 

Aluminum K-butoxide, Colorless solid, mp 102 C, bp 270 C Solubility, cryoscopy. [69] 

Aluminum s-butoxide, AKCHgCHOC Hsjs Viscous liquid, bp 137 °C (1 mmH Solubility, [70,71] 

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The choice of commercially available simple metal alkoxides is actually a bit larger, incorporating diluted solutions of alkali and some alkaline earth metal alkoxides in parent alcohols as welL The latter are very sensitive to moisture and oxygen on storage. In feet, they can be produced by customary synthesis in situ. 

Few data are available on the hydrolysis of simple metal alkoxides of these elements. Alkoxides of alkaline and alkaline earth metals are mostly used as precursors for the preparation of complex oxides or solid oxide solutions. Commercial production of pure magnesium oxide by hydrolysis of Mg(OMe)2 with formation of transparent gel has been described [715], as well as hydrolysis of Mg(OC5H11i)2 with the following thermal treatment to produce a fine MgO powderthat sinters at low temperatures [1766]. Solutions prepared by dissolving magnesium in methoxyethanol are by far the most convenient precursors for preparation of magnesium oxide films. 

Ethers are frequently prepared via the Williamson ether synthesis, which involves the reaction of an alkyl halide electrophile (RX) with an alkoxide nucleophile (R O ). As usual, the Sn2 backside attack is sensitive to sterics, and the E2 elimination reaction is expected to compete here since alkoxides are strong bases. The Sn2 substitution can be expected to give good yields of the ether if the halide is on a methyl, primary, allylic, or benzylic carbon. Simple alkoxides may be commercially available otherwise, the alkoxide can be prepared from the corresponding alcohol by treatment with a strong base (NaH) or a metal (Na or K). 

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