Precursors for mixed metal oxide nanoparticles: Synthesis and characterization of μ-oxoalkoxides of some bivalent metals and their β-diketonates

New heterobimetallic derivatives of the type M{OAl(OPr i ) 2 } 2 (M = Sn, Pb, Cd) have been prepared by the reactions of M(OAc) 2 with Al(OPr i ) 3 in 1:2 molar ratio in hydrocarbon solvent (xylene/toluene) with the continuous liberation of isopropyl acetate. Furthermore, reactions of M{OAl(OPr i ) 2 } 2 (M = Ca, Pb, Cd) with β-diketones (acetylacetone, benzoyl acetone) have also been carried out to obtain modified derivatives. These new derivatives have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic [IR, NMR ( 1 H, 1 3 C, 2 7 Al and 1 1 9 Sn)] studies.