| abstract |
A method of preparing a metal alkyl of formula (R3M)x where R3 represents three alkyl groups R which may be the same or different, M represents a Group III metallic element and x is 1 or 2, which method comprises (a) forming a trialkyl adduct of formula (R3M)y.L wherein L represents an aryl-containing Group V, preferably phosphorus, donor ligand provided by an organic Lewis base which is stable at 20<o>C, and wherein y is an integer equal to the number of Group V atoms presents in the ligand, and (b) heating the adduct to provide thermal dissociation thereof thereby releasing the alkyl as a gaseous product. |