Reaction of ground-state aluminium atoms with diethyl ether. Electron spin resonance evidence for insertion into the CH and CC bonds

Abstract

Ground-state Al atoms react with diethyl ether on solid hydrocarbon surfaces at 77 K in a rotating cryostat to give several mononuclear aluminium(o) compounds. The magnetic parameters of two of these compounds are consistent with the formation of CH₃CHAlH(OCH₂CH₃) and/or CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₂AlH and CH₃AlCH₂OCH₂CH₃ produced by insertion of the Al atom into the CH and CC bonds of the ether. A third species could be CH₃CH₂OAlCH₂CH₃, given by insertion into the CO bond, but this assignment is somewhat tentative.