MECHANISMS OF THE REACTIONS OF DIETHYLZINC WITH ISOPROPANOL AND WATER

Abstract

Reactions of diethylzinc with isopropanol and water were studied by means of infrared absorption and gas evolution. The former method was found to be more reliable. Ethylzinc isopropoxide, formed from diethylzinc and isopropanol, was shown to be stable in the presence of excess isopropanol. The reaction of diethylzinc with water was found to proceed in a two-step manner, the product of the first being ethylzinc hydroxide. The decomposition of ethylzinc hydroxide was found to be first order with respect to itself and independent of diethylzinc.