The study of the chemistry of metal alkoxides, which began more than 100 years ago, is now experiencing a renaissance due to the broad application of these compounds as molecular precursors in the synthesis of advanced technological materials based on simple and complex oxides. The solution of this problem is occupying a wide circle of inorganic chemists, technologists specializing in fine synthesis in nonaqueous media, and those working on the production of films and coatings. The application of metal alkoxides in the first step of sol-gel technology (based on hydrolysis of alkoxides with the subsequent dehydration of the hydrated oxides formed) is addressed in this monograph covering the modern literature devoted to all the steps of this process.

This book is devoted to the general questions of the chemistry of metal alkoxides-the synthetic routes to them (both laboratory and technology) physiochemical properties, structure, specific features of single groups of alkoxides, theoretical principles of their use for the preparation of simple and complex oxides by the sol-gel method, and major directions of the application of this method in the preparation of functional materials. Also includes are the derivatives of single elements of first through eighth groups of the Periodic Table. The tables contain the major data on the alkoxides, phenoxides, siloxides, derivatives of polyatomic alcohols, and phenols, - their composition, structure, preparation techniques, and major physiochemical characteristics. These tables allow the book to be used as a handbook permitting a quick and essentially complete acquaintance with the distinct compounds and the literature describing them.