Magnesium ethoxide

white to light grey powder

Magnesium ethoxide is used as olefin polymerization catalyst carrier for polypropylene, polyethylene and precision ceramic materials.

Highly flammable

Dissolve ca 1g of solid in 12.8mL of absolute EtOH and 20mL of dry xylene and reflux in a dry atmosphere (use CaCl2 in a drying tube at the top of the condenser). Add 10mL of absolute EtOH and cool. Filter the solid under dry N2 and dry it in a vacuum. Alternatively dissolve it in absolute EtOH and pass it through molecular sieves (40 mesh) under N2, evaporate under N2, and store it in a tightly stoppered container. [Smith & Wiley J Am Chem Soc 68 889 1946, Beilstein 1 III 1283.]