Dimethylmercury
Dimethylmercury
IUPAC name
dimethylmercury
Identifiers
CAS number
Properties
Molecular formula
C2H6Hg
Molar mass
230.659 g/mol
Appearance
Colorless liquid
Density
2.96 g/ml, liquid
Melting point
-43 °C
Boiling point
87 - 97 °C
Solubility in water
Insoluble
Viscosity
? cP at ?°C
Hazards
R-phrases
R26, R27, R28,
R33, R50, R53
S-phrases
S13, S28, S36, S45,
S60, S61
Flash point
N/A
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references
Dimethylmercury ((CH3)2Hg) is a flammable, colorless liquid, and one of the strongest known neurotoxins. It is described as having a slightly sweet smell, though inhaling enough fumes to notice this would involve significant exposure to the chemical. It is extremely dangerous, with absorption of doses as low as 0.001 mL being fatal. The high vapor pressure of the liquid means that any spillage will result in dangerous levels of exposure to the fumes for those nearby. The molecule adopts a linear structure.
Dimethylmercury crosses the blood-brain barrier easily, probably due to formation of a complex with cysteine. It is eliminated from the organism very slowly, therefore it has tendency to bioaccumulate. The symptoms of poisoning may be delayed by months, possibly too late for effective treatment.
Dimethylmercury passes through latex, PVC, butyl, and neoprene rapidly (within seconds), and is absorbed through the skin. Therefore, most laboratory gloves do not provide adequate protection from it, and the only safe precaution is to handle dimethylmercury while wearing highly resistant laminated gloves underneath long-cuffed neoprene or other heavy-duty gloves. A long face shield and work under a fume hood are also indicated.
The toxicity of dimethylmercury was highlighted when a well-known chemist, Karen Wetterhahn, died several months after spilling a few drops of this compound on her latex-gloved hand.
Contents
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Use
Dimethylmercury is most often used in toxicology experiments as a fixed point of reference due to its extreme toxicity. It has also been used to calibrate NMR instruments for detection of mercury, although less toxic mercury salts are preferred.
See also
- Minamata disease
- Methylmercury
- Mercury poisoning
References
- ^ Simon Cotton, Dimethylmercury and mercury poisoning. The Karen Wetterhahn story. Molecule of the Month.
- ^ Hazard Information Bulletin - Dimethylmercury. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletins (SHIBs), 1997-1998
- ^ Chris Singer (1998-03-10). “199Hg Standards“.
- ^ Roy Hoffman (2007-02-21). “Mercury NMR”.
External links
- ATSDR - ToxFAQs: Mercury
- ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Mercury
- ATSDR - ALERT! Patterns of Metallic Mercury Exposure, 6/26/97
- ATSDR - MMG: Mercury
- ATSDR - Toxicological Profile: Mercury
- National Pollutant Inventory - Mercury and compounds Fact Sheet
Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylmercury”
Categories: Organometallic compounds | Mercury compounds | Neurotoxins