Diethylmercury

Diethylmercury

Names
IUPAC name diethylmercury
Identifiers
CAS Number	627-44-1 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	11814 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.010.001
EC Number	211-000-7
MeSH	C007378
PubChem CID	12318
UNII	323TG9BTE8 N
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1060841
InChI InChI=1S/2C2H5.Hg/c2*1-2;/h2*1H2,2H3; N Key: SPIUPAOJDZNUJH-UHFFFAOYSA-N N InChI=1/2C2H5.Hg/c2*1-2;/h2*1H2,2H3;/rC4H10Hg/c1-3-5-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3 Key: SPIUPAOJDZNUJH-KFYQOLPSAK
SMILES CC[Hg]CC
Properties
Chemical formula	C 4H 10Hg (C 2H 5) 2Hg
Molar mass	258.71 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Odor	Sweet
Density	2.446 g/ml
Melting point	−45 °C (−49 °F; 228 K)
Boiling point	156 to 157 °C (313 to 315 °F; 429 to 430 K)
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Solubility	Ethers, hydrocarbons, THF
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Flammable, extremely toxic
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H225, H300+H310+H330, H373, H410
Precautionary statements	P260, P262, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P310, P302+P350, P304+P340, P310, P314, P320, P321, P322, P330, P361, P363, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501
Flash point	N/A
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Diethylmercury is a flammable, colorless liquid, and one of the strongest known neurotoxins. This organomercury compound is described as having a slightly sweet smell, though inhaling enough fumes to notice this would be hazardous.^[1] This chemical can cross the blood–brain barrier, causing permanent brain damage. It is, however, considerably less toxic than dimethylmercury.

Synthesis

Diethylmercury can be obtained from the reaction between ethylmagnesium bromide and mercury(II) chloride.^[2]

2 C₂H₅MgBr + HgCl₂ → Hg(C₂H₅)₂ + MgBr₂ + MgCl₂

Other methods are also known.^[3]

See also

• Dimethylmercury, a related compound
• Ethylmercury
• Mercury poisoning

References