The Beginning of Organozinc Chemistry

Frankland 1849. The zinc-tradition in preparative organic chemistry had its start when Edward Frankland [2] discovered the formation of alkylzinc compounds from the reaction of iodoalkanes with metallic zinc  

Frankland carried out this reaction in the expectation that organic radicals could be generated by the removal of the electronegative halogen atom from the haloalkane by the more electropositive zinc atom. 

In his first publication of this work he reported that when iodoethane and metallic zinc were heated in a sealed glass tube for two hours, a colourless mobile liquid and some white crystalline material resulted. 

Large amounts of gas also escaped on opening the sealed tube and Frankland reported his results of its analysis. 

Probably in an attempt to trap radicals which otherwise would escape through sidereactions, Frankland also performed this experiment in the presence of some reagents such as water, ethanol or diethyl ether. 

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Zinc compounds have found practical uses since prehistoric times. As a metal, zinc was recognized in the 14 century. The publication of the pioneering works of Edward Frankland in the mid-19 century marked the beginnings of organozinc chemistry, as well as the birth of a larger research field—organometallic chemistiy. ... 

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