Cadmium O-alkylxanthates as CVD precursors of CdS: a chemical characterization

Cadmium bis(O-alkylxanthates) are po tential single-source molecular precursors for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of Cd(II) sulfide thin films. In this work, a multi-technique characterization of Cd(O-RXan)2 compounds [where O-RXan is CH3CH2OCS2 (O-EtXan) or (CH3)2CHOCS2 (O-iPrXan)] is performed by means of several analytical methods (extended x-ray absorption fine structure, Raman, Fourier transform infrared and optical absorption, spectroscopics 1H and 13C NMR, thermal analysis and mass spectrometry) for a thorough investigation of their structure and chemical-physical properties. The most important results concerning the chemical behavior under different experimental conditions, with particular attention to relevant properties for CVD applications, are presented and discussed