Alkali metal oxides trapped by diethylzinc

Chem Commun (Camb). 2014 Aug 18;50(64):8937-40. doi: 10.1039/c4cc02929a.

Abstract

Reactions of alkali metal hydroxides with neat diethyl zinc lead to the formation of oxo-centered clusters M2O(ZnEt2)n (M = Na, n = 3 or M = K, Rb, n = 4). These molecules crystallize in highly symmetric space groups, forming extended structures supported by weak M-H interactions. We discuss the mechanistic implications and relationship of these structures to known (oxo)organozincates.