Title: Dimethylmercury
CAS Registry Number: 593-74-8
CAS Name: Mercury, dimethyl
Synonyms: methyl mercury
Molecular Formula: C2H6Hg
Molecular Weight: 230.66
Percent Composition: C 10.41%, H 2.62%, Hg 86.96%
Line Formula: (CH3)2Hg
Literature References: Environmental contaminant found together with
monomethyl mercury compounds in fish and birds. Prepns: Buckton,
Ann. 108, 103 (1858);
109, 219 (1859); Jones, Werner,
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 40, 1257 (1918); Gilman, Brown,
ibid. 52, 3314 (1930); Wade,
US 3636020 (1972 to Ventron); H. H. Sisler
et al., J. Org. Chem. 45, 1329 (1980). Synthesized in bottom sediments: Jensen, Jernel?v,
Nature 223, 753 (1969). Physical properties: Wilde,
J. Chem. Soc. 1949, 72. Formation and degradation studies: Bertilsson, Neujahr,
Biochemistry 10, 2805 (1971); DeSimone
et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 304, 851 (1973); Spangler
et al., Science 180, 192 (1973);
eidem, Appl. Microbiol. 25, 488 (1973). Neurotoxicity studies: Dales,
Am. J. Med. 53, 219 (1972); Skerfving,
Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 10, 545 (1972); Kojima, Fujita,
Toxicology 1, 43 (1973).
Properties: Colorless, volatile, toxic liquid; easily inflammable. bp740 92°. d20 3.1874.
nD20 1.5452. Easily sol in ether, alc. Insol in H2O.
Boiling point: bp740 92°
Index of refraction: nD20 1.5452
Density: d20 3.1874
Use: As inorganic reagent.