The interaction of diethylzinc with Aerosil has been examined by IR sp
ectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The reaction involves both free hydr
oxyl groups and siloxane groups of the surface resulting in the format
ion of =Si-O-Zn-Et and =Si-Et fragments. At temperatures above 300 deg
rees C, these structures undergo decomposition with the recovery of =S
i-OH groups on the Aerosil surface and liberation of metallic zinc.