Diethylmercury

Diethylmercury
Names
IUPAC name
diethylmercury
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.010.001
EC Number
  • 211-000-7
MeSH C007378
UNII
  • 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
  • CC[Hg]CC
Properties
C
4
H
10
Hg

(C
2
H
5
)
2
Hg
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)
Insoluble
Solubility Ethers, hydrocarbons, THF
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Flammable, extremely toxic
GHS labelling:
Danger
H225, H300+H310+H330, H373, H410
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. This chemical can cross the blood–brain barrier, causing permanent brain damage. It is, however, considerably less toxic than dimethylmercury.

The resulting (CH3CH2)2Hg is a dense liquid (2.466 g/cm3) that boils at 57 °C at 16 torr. This extremely toxic compound is slightly soluble in ethanol and soluble in ether.