Synthesis of zirconium(IV) and hafnium(IV) isopropoxide, sec-butoxide and tert-butoxide.

Abstract

We revisited the synthesis of zirconium(IV) and hafnium(IV) alkoxides, namely the metal isopropoxide isopropanol complex (M(OiPr)4·iPrOH, M = Zr, Hf) and the metal sec- and tert-butoxide (M(OsBu)4 and M(OtBu)4, M = Zr, Hf). We optimized the most convenient synthesis methods and compared the products with commercial sources. En route to the metal sec- and tert-butoxides, we synthesized the metal diethylamido complex (M(NEt2)4, M = Zr, Hf).