Aluminium ethoxide

Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aluminium ethoxide (also aluminium triethoxide) is an metallo-organic compound with the empirical formula Al(OCH2CH3)3. It is a moisture-sensitive white powder.[2]

Quick facts Names, Identifiers ...
Aluminium ethoxide
Names
Other names
Aluminium ethoxide
Triethoxyaluminum
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.008.279 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/3C2H5O.Al/c3*1-2-3;/h3*2H2,1H3;/q3*-1;+3
    Key: JPUHCPXFQIXLMW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • InChI=1/3C2H5O.Al/c3*1-2-3;/h3*2H2,1H3;/q3*-1;+3/rC6H15AlO3/c1-4-8-7(9-5-2)10-6-3/h4-6H2,1-3H3
    Key: JPUHCPXFQIXLMW-MHHMYNCNAZ
  • CCO[Al](OCC)OCC
Properties
Al(OCH2CH3)3
Molar mass 162.165 g·mol−1
Appearance White powder
Density 1.142 g/cm3
Melting point 140 °C (284 °F; 413 K)
Boiling point 320 °C (608 °F; 593 K)
reacts violently
Solubility slightly soluble in xylene, chlorobenzene
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS02: FlammableGHS05: Corrosive[1]
Danger[1]
H228, H314[1]
P210, P280, P305+P351+P338, P310[1]
Flash point 210 °C (410 °F; 483 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Properties

Structure of aluminium isopropoxide indicates the tendency of aluminium alkoxides to form aggregates.

Aluminium triethoxide is slightly soluble in hot dimethyl benzene, chlorobenzene and other high boiling point non-polar solvents.[3] It hydrolyzes to aluminium hydroxide and ethanol:

Al(OEt)3 + 3 H2O → Al(OH)3 + 3 EtOH

Although the structure of aluminium triethoxide has not been established by X-ray crystallography, the related aluminium isopropoxide has a tetrameric structure as verified by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The species is described by the formula Al[(μ-O-i-Pr)2Al(O-i-Pr)2]3.[4][5] The unique central Al is octahedral, and three other Al centers adopt tetrahedral geometry. A

Applications

Aluminium triethoxide is used as a reducing agent for aldehydes and ketones, and is also used as a polymerization catalyst. Aluminium triethoxide is mainly used in Sol-Gel Process preparation of high purity aluminium sesquioxide, which is a polymerization agent. At the same time, it is used as a reducing reagent, for example, carbonyl compounds that restore to alcohol.[clarification needed]

Synthesis

Aluminium triethoxide is produced by treating aluminium with anhydrous alcohol. The aluminium is often activated with iodine or by amalgamation to accelerate the reaction.[6][2]

Aluminium triethoxide has been evaluated as a catalyst for the synthesis of esters and carbonates.[7]

References

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