3327. Diphenylmagnesium

Nomenclature

CAS number: 555-54-4
Magnesium diphenyl.
C12H10Mg; mol wt 178.51.
C 80.74%, H 5.65%, Mg 13.62%.
Mg(C6H5)2.

Description and references

Prepd by the action of magnesium on mercury diphenyl: Schlenk, Jr., Ber. 64, 736 (1931); Gilman, Brown, Rec. Trav. Chim. 49, 202 (1930).

Properties

Solvated, feathery crystals from ether. Loses its ether in vacuo at around 37°. Dec 280°, dissociating into magnesium and diphenyl. Extremely reactive; catches fire in moist, although not in dry, air. Violently dec by water. The etherate is sol in benzene, but the dry compd is not.