Aluminium ethoxide

indicates the tendency of aluminium alkoxides to form aggregates. Aluminium triethoxide is slightly soluble in hot dimethyl benzene, chlorobenzene and other high boiling point non-polar solvents. It hydrolyzes to aluminium hydroxide and ethanol: : Although the structure of aluminium triethoxide has not been established by X-ray crystallography, the related aluminium isopropoxide has a tetrameric structure as verified by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The species is described by the formula Al[(μ-O-i-Pr)2Al(O-i-Pr)2]3. The unique central Al is octahedral, and three other Al centers adopt tetrahedral geometry. A == Applications ==

Aluminium triethoxide is used as a reducing agent for aldehydes and ketones, and is also used as a polymerization catalyst. Aluminium triethoxide is mainly used in Sol-Gel Process preparation of high purity aluminium sesquioxide, which is a polymerization agent. At the same time, it is used as a reducing reagent, for example, carbonyl compounds that restore to alcohol. == Synthesis ==

Aluminium triethoxide is produced by treating aluminium with anhydrous alcohol. The aluminium is often activated with iodine or by amalgamation to accelerate the reaction. Aluminium triethoxide has been evaluated as a catalyst for the synthesis of esters and carbonates. == References ==