Structure and physical properties of aluminium alkoxides: 1. Mass spectra of aluminium isopropoxides

Abstract

AbstractThe mass spectrum of aluminium isopropoxide has been investigated using an AEI‐MS 9 mass spectrometer.The results indicate that the vapour of the solid consists largely of tetramer species; dimer and trimer are possibly present also in minor quantities.Probable fragmentation schemes are deduced from comparison of mass spectra of unlabelled and deuterated samples (deuterated at the secondary carbon atom of the isopropyl group). The tetramer molecular ion loses an isopropoxy radical or, successively, a methyl radical and a molecule of acetaldehyde, followed by the elimination of di‐isopropyl ether. A mechanism for this reaction is proposed. The further fragmentation may involve the loss of propene, di‐isopropyl ether and/or aluminiumoxide isopropoxide.