Properties

General
Name	Dimethylmercury
Chemical formula	CH3HgCH3
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Physical
Formula weight	230.659 amu
Melting point	230 K (-43 °C)
Boiling point	360-370 K (87-97 °C)
Density	? kg/m3
Solubility	?
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
Safety
Ingestion	Fatal
Inhalation	Fatal
Skin	Fatal
Eyes	Fatal
SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.

Dimethylmercury (CH₃HgCH₃) is a flammable, colorless liquid, and is described as having a slightly sweet smell. It is an extremely dangerous chemical. Absorption of doses as low as 0.1 mL are fatal.

Dimethylmercury can seep through rubbers and plastics. Therefore, most laboratory gloves do not provide adequate protection from this chemical.

Contents

1 Use 2 Well known incidents involving dimethylmercury 3 See also 4 External links

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.

Well known incidents involving dimethylmercury

In 1997, Dr. Karen Wetterhahn , an experienced chemist working at Dartmouth College, died after she was exposed to dimethylmercury. After her death, the Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award was created in her honor. Its purpose is to "recognize an outstanding graduate student or post-doctoral researcher who studies metals and best demonstrates the qualities of scientific excellence exhibited by Dr. Wetterhahn". [1]

See also

• Minamata disease

External links

• Dimethylmercury, Molecule of the Month