Infrared laser pyrolysis of diethylzinc: first evidence for β-hydride elimination

Abstract

The IR laser-powered homogeneous pyrolysis of diethylzinc has been shown to result in the deposition of zinc hydride, identified by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and by comparison with the chemical behaviour of an authentic sample. This observation demonstrates for the first time that the major pathway for the homogeneous pyrolysis of Et₂Zn is that of β-hydride elimination, in contrast to the bond-homolysis radical mechanism suggested in earlier conventional pyrolysis studies.