Producing oximinosilanes, oximinogermanes and oximinostannanes

A process for the production of Group IVa metal oximates which comprises:

• reacting in the liquid phase a Group IVa metal halide of the formula P.sub.4-n MX.sub.n with an oxime compound of the formula R'R"C.dbd.NOH, at a mole ratio of oxime compound to Group IVa metal halide of at least 2n:1;
• separating the product of the formula
• (R'R"C.dbd.NO).sub.n MR.sub.4-n
• from the by-product oxime hydrohalide of the formula R'R"C.dbd.NOH.HX by separating a liquid organic phase consisting essentially of the product from a phase consisting essentially of oxime hydrohalide;
• reacting the liquid organic phase consisting essentially of the product with dry base to convert oxime hydrohalide impurity to oxime compound and solid salt;
• removing the solid salt from the remaining liquid;
• distilling the remaining liquid to remove any unreacted oxime compound and any oxime compound formed upon reaction with dry base;
• and
• recovering the product as the bottom after distillation;
• wherein R is alkyl of 1-6 carbons, alkenyl of 2-6 carbons, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl or halogen-substituted forms thereof;
• M is Si, Ge or Sn;
• X is Cl, Br or I;
• n is 1 to 4;
• and R' and R" are each independently H, alkyl of 1-6 carbons, aryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or any of them substituted by halogen, or R' and R" are together (CH.sub.2).sub.m wherein m is 3 to 7, or alkyl or halosubstituted forms thereof.