Triethylgallium
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
triethylgallane
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| Systematic IUPAC name
triethylgallium | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (
JSmol ) |
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| ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard
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100.012.939 |
PubChem CID
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| C6H15Ga | |
| Molar mass | 156.9 g/mol |
| Appearance | colourless liquid |
| Melting point | −82.3 °C (−116.1 °F; 190.8 K) |
| Boiling point | 143 °C (289 °F; 416 K) |
| Reacts[1] | |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards
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pyrophoric |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Triethylgallium is the organogallium compound with the formul Ga(C2H5)3. Also called TEGa, it is a
pyrophoric liquid,[2] typically handled with air-free techniques. It was discovered by Cornell University chemists L. M. Dennis and Winton Patnode in 1931.[3]
Preparation and reactions
The main routes involve alkylation of gallium trichloride. When this alkylation is effected with ethyl Grignard reagent in ether, the product is the diethyl ether adduct of triethylgallium. The ether is not easily removed. Thus an alternative route involves transmetalation with triethylaluminium according to this simplified equation:[4]
- GaCl3 + 3 AlEt3 → GaEt3 + 3 AlClEt2
Triethylgallium readily converts to the air-stable, colorless alkoxide by two routes,
alcoholysis:[4]
- GaEt3 + 0.5 O2 → GaEt2(OEt)
- GaEt3 + EtOH → GaEt2(OEt) + EtH
The sweet odor associated with triethylgallium is due to the alkoxide.
Redistribution reactions occur with gallium trichloride:[4]
- 2GaEt3 + GaCl3 → 3 GaEt2Cl
Applications
TEGa can be a useful alternative to
metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy of compound semiconductors because films grown using TEGa have been shown to have a lower carbon impurity concentration.[5]
Related compounds
- Trimethylgallium, with similar properties.