Synthesis and decomposition studies of dialkyltellurides of type RTeR′

Unsymmetrical dialkyltellurides of type RTeR′ suitable for use as precursors in the metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) of cadmium mercury telluride (CMT) can be prepared by an alkyl exchange process. For certain organotellurium compounds, reaction of R₂Te (R = alkyl, allyl) with R′₂Te₂ (R′ = alkyl) produces an equilibrium mixture containing RTeR′ and RTe₂R′. Suitable selection of R and R′ allows good yields of RTeR′ to be prepared in high purity. ESR studies show that free radicals are formed on thermal or photochemical decomposition of R₂Te and that the stability of (allyl)TeMe is very similar to that of (allyl)₂Te but quite different from that of Me₂Te.