zinc alkyl

noun

: any of a class of organic zinc compounds of the general formula ZnR₂ that are typically colorless mobile liquids giving off poisonous vapors with disagreeable odors that ignite readily in air, that are made usually by the action of an alkyl iodide (as ethyl iodide) on a zinc-sodium or zinc-copper alloy, and that are very reactive and hence much used in the synthesis of organic compounds

dimethyl-zinc and diethyl-zinc are important zinc alkyls

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