Me3Al

Me3Al, also known as trimethylaluminum, is an organoaluminum compound with the chemical formula Al(CH3)3. It is a colorless, volatile liquid at room temperature and is highly pyrophoric, meaning it ignites spontaneously in air. This reactivity is due to the strong polarization of the Al-C bonds and the presence of bridging methyl groups in the solid and liquid states, which leads to the formation of electron-deficient structures. In the gas phase, trimethylaluminum exists as a monomer.

Trimethylaluminum is typically produced by the reaction of aluminum metal with methyl chloride in the presence of a catalyst. It is a crucial reagent in various industrial processes. Its primary application is as a co-catalyst in Ziegler-Natta polymerization, a process used to produce polyethylene and polypropylene. It acts as an alkylating agent, activating the transition metal catalyst.

Beyond polymerization, Me3Al finds use in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of aluminum-containing thin films, such as aluminum oxide and aluminum nitride, which are important in semiconductor manufacturing and as protective coatings. It is also employed in organic synthesis as a methylating agent and a Lewis acid. Due to its hazardous nature, Me3Al requires careful handling and storage under an inert atmosphere to prevent contact with air and moisture.