3263. Dimethylzinc

Nomenclature

CAS number: 544-97-8
Zinc dimethyl.
C2H6Zn; mol wt 95.48.
C 25.16%, H 6.33%, Zn 68.51%.
Zn(CH3)2.

Description and references

Prepd by the interaction of zinc and methyl iodide: Simonowitch, Chem. Zentralbl. 1899, I, 1066; Bamford et al., J. Chem. Soc. 1946, 468.

Properties

Mobile liquid. Stable in sealed tube and under CO2. d410.5 1.386; mp -40°; bp 46°. Spontaneously combustible, dangerous when wet. Burns with a blue flame, giving off a peculiar, garlic-like odor. Very slow oxidation with traces of air produces methylzinc methylate, CH3ZnOCH3. Sol in ether, miscible with hydrocarbons.