Single source metalloorganic precursors to type II-VI semiconductors

A process for the production of a metal organic compound of the formula:

• 2-NR-Q-M-A
• Wherein M is selected from the Group IIb elements of zinc, cadmium, or mercury;
• A is selected from amide, alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl, substituted aryl, or -Q'-2-NR'L2 wherein L is nothing or a Lewis base ligand,
• Q and Q' are each independently selected from Group VI elements of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, and
• 2-NR and 2-NR' are each independently selected from N-heterocyclic aryl or its derivatives,
• which process comprises:
• (A) contacting L'2-Z-2-NR wherein L' is independently selected from ligand L,
• Z is independently selected from lithium, sodium, calcium, barium, or strontium;
• and
• 2-NR is defined hereinabove, with a metal powder Q wherein Q is defined hereinabove, in a hydrocarbon solvent under an inert anhydrous atmosphere for between about 0.01 and 2 hours at between about -20.degree. and +30.degree. C.;
• (B) contacting the product of step (A) with a strong or weak acid to produce and separate by removal of the hydrocarbon solvent
• H-Q-2-NR
• where Q, 2-NR are defined hereinabove;
• (C) contacting the product of step(B) with:
• (1) MX.sub.2 salt, wherein X is independently selected from a halogen, a nitrate, or an organic acid, in a 2:1 ratio in a polar solvent at between -20.degree. and +30.degree. C., and for between about 0.01 and 2 hour, or
• (2) MR.sub.2, wherein R is independently selected from an amide, alkyl having between 1 and 20 carbon atoms, aryl, substituted aryl or -Q'-2-NR'-L2 wherein L is selected from nothing or a Lewis base ligand, in a 2:1 ratio in a polar solvent at between about -20.degree. to +30.degree. C., and for between about 0.01 and 2 hour, or
• (3) M(R').sub.2 or MX.sub.2 wherein R' is independently selected from amide or R as defined hereinabove in a 1:1 ration in a hydrocarbon solvent at between about -20.degree. to +30.degree. C., and for between about 0.01 and 2 hour, followed by treatment;
• with one equient of H-Q-2-NR, where Q and 2-NR are defined above, in a polar solvent at between about -20.degree. to +30.degree. C., and for between about 0.01 and 2 hour;
• (D) recovering the metalloorganic compound of structure (I), where L is nothing;
• and
• (E) optionally contacting the product of step(D) with ligand L to produce the organometallic compound where L is a Lewis base.