Single source metalloorgranic precursors to type 14-16 semiconductors

A process for the production of a single source metalloorganic 14-16 semiconductor precursor compound for the formula:

• (2-NR-Q-).sub.l M-A.sub.m
• wherein M is selected from the Group 14 elements of germanium, tin or lead;
• A is selected from an amide, an alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl, a substituted anyl, or -Q'2-NR'L.sub.n (n=1-4) wherein L is nothing or a Lewis base ligand,
• Q and Q' are each independently selected for Group VIa elements of 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'.sub.n -Z-2-NR (n=1-4) wherein L' is independently selected from ligand L, Z is independently selected from lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, barium, or strontium;
• and 2-NR is defined as 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 an acid, and removing the polar solvent to give
• H-Q-2-NR
• wherein Q and 2-NR are defined hereinabove;
• (C) contacting the product of step (B) with:
• (1)MX.sub.n (n=2 or 4) salt in a n:1 ratio in organic solvent at between -20.degree. and +30.degree. C., and for between about 0.01 and 2 hours, or
• (2)MR.sub.n (n=2 or 4) in a n:
• 1 ratio in a polar solvent at between -20.degree. and +30.degree. C., and for between about 0.01 and 2 hours, or
• (3)M(R').sub.n or MX.sub.n (n=2 or 4) wherein R' is independently selected from R and R is defined as an alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, amino beta-diketonate, in any ratio in a polar solvent at between -20.degree. and +100 .degree. C. and for between about 0.01 and 2 hours, followed by treatment with one H-Q'-2-NR', where Q' and 2-NR' are defined above, in a polar solvent at between -20.degree. and +100.degree. C. and for between about 0.01 and 2 hours;
• (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 an organometallic compound where L is a Lewis base.