Dimethylcadmium is the organocadmium compound with the formula Cd(CH3)2. It is a colorless, highly toxic liquid that fumes in air. It is a linear molecule with C-Cd bond lengths of 213 pm.[1] The compound finds limited use as a reagent in organic synthesis and in metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). It has also been used in the synthesis of cadmium selenide nanoparticles, although efforts have been made to replace it in this capacity due to its toxicity.[2]

Dimethylcadmium
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.007.324 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 208-055-4
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2CH3.Cd/h2*1H3;
    Key: KVVGSXJGEUULNM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • C[Cd]C
Properties
C2H6Cd
Molar mass 142.484 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless liquid
Odor Foul; unpleasant; metallic; disagreeable; characteristic
Density 1.985 g/mL
Melting point −4.5 °C (23.9 °F; 268.6 K)
Boiling point 106 °C (223 °F; 379 K)
Reacts with water
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Extremely toxic, reacts with water to release methane
GHS labelling:
GHS02: FlammableGHS06: ToxicGHS08: Health hazard
Danger
H225, H250, H252, H260, H301, H330, H350, H360
P101, P102, P103, P222, P231, P301+P310, P303+P361+P353, P305+P351+P338, P403+P233, P422, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 4: Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. E.g. VX gasFlammability 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g. propaneInstability 2: Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water. E.g. white phosphorusSpecial hazard W: Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner. E.g. sodium, sulfuric acid
4
4
2
Flash point 18 °C (64 °F; 291 K)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Dimethylcadmium is prepared by treating cadmium dihalides with methyl Grignard reagents or methyllithium.[3]

CdBr2 + 2 CH3MgBr → Cd(CH3)2 + 2 MgBr2

The same method was used in the first preparation of this compound.[4]

Dimethylcadmium is a weak Lewis acid, forming a labile adduct with diethyl ether. A yellow, air-sensitive adduct is formed with 2,2'-bipyridine.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Felix Hanke; Sarah Hindley; Anthony C. Jones; Alexander Steiner (2016). "The Solid State Structures of the High and Low Temperature Phases of Dimethylcadmium". Chemical Communications. 52 (66): 10144–10146. doi:10.1039/c6cc05851e. PMID 27457504.
  2. ^ Julia Hambrock; Alexander Birkner; Roland A. Fischer (2001). "Synthesis of CdSe nanoparticles using various organometallic cadmium precursors". Journal of Materials Chemistry. 11 (12): 3197–3201. doi:10.1039/B104231A.
  3. ^ a b Douglas F. Foster; David J. Cole-Hamilton (1997). "Electronic Grade Alkyls of Group 12 and 13 Elements". Inorganic Syntheses. Vol. 31. pp. 21–66. doi:10.1002/9780470132623.ch7. ISBN 9780470132623.
  4. ^ Erich Krause (1917). "Einfache Cadmiumdialkyle (I. Mitteilung über organische Cadmium-Verbindungen)". Berichte der deutschen chemischen Gesellschaft. 50 (2): 1813–1822. doi:10.1002/cber.19170500292.