From Free net encyclopedia
Properties
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Image:Dimethylmercury3.png
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|
General
|
| Name |
Dimethylmercury |
| Chemical formula |
(CH3)2Hg |
| Appearance |
Colorless liquid |
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Physical
|
| Formula weight |
230.659 amu |
| Melting point |
230 K (-43 °C) |
| Boiling point |
360-370 K (87-97 °C) |
| Density |
2960 kg/m3 |
| Solubility |
insoluble |
|
Thermochemistry
|
| ΔfH0gas |
? kJ/mol |
| ΔfH0liquid |
55-60 kJ/mol |
| ΔfH0solid |
162.2 kJ/mol |
| S0gas, 1 bar |
? J/mol·K |
| S0liquid, 1 bar |
? J/mol·K |
| S0solid |
? J/mol·K |
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Safety
|
| Ingestion |
Fatal |
| Inhalation |
Fatal |
| Skin |
Fatal |
| Eyes |
Fatal |
|
SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.
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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 0.1 mL being fatal. The high vapour pressure of the liquid means that any spillage will result in dangerous levels of exposure to the fumes for those nearby. Its molecule has a linear structure, with the mercury and carbon atoms in line. The CAS registry number is Template:CASREF.
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 appear when it is too late for effective treatment.
Dimethylmercury passes through latex, PVC, 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 dimethyl mercury while wearing highly resistant laminated gloves underneath long-cuffed neoprene or other heavy-duty gloves.
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
External links
de:Dimethylquecksilber
