Dimethylcadmium

Dimethylcadmium is the <a href="/facts/Organocadmium_compound/0HbUyMzC">organocadmium compound</a> with the formula Cd(CH3)2. It is a colorless, highly toxic liquid that fumes in air. It is a linear molecule with C-Cd bond lengths of 213 pm. The compound finds limited use as a reagent in <a href="/facts/Organic_synthesis/aprl6Iq7">organic synthesis</a> and in <a href="/facts/MOCVD/Ldg0BICo">metalorganic chemical vapor deposition</a> (MOCVD). It has also been used in the synthesis of <a href="/facts/Cadmium_selenide/A7Xyr215">cadmium selenide nanoparticles</a>, although efforts have been made to replace it in this capacity due to its toxicity.
Dimethylcadmium is prepared by treating cadmium dihalides with methyl <a href="/facts/Grignard_reagent/0vkLtPo1">Grignard reagents</a> or <a href="/facts/Methyllithium/Fo5UzmsP">methyllithium</a>.

CdBr2 + 2 CH3MgBr → Cd(CH3)2 + 2 MgBr2
The same method was used in the first preparation of this compound. 
Dimethylcadmium is a weak <a href="/facts/Lewis_acid/qlLqRvg2">Lewis acid</a>, forming a labile adduct with <a href="/facts/Diethyl_ether/Ep20vEdj">diethyl ether</a>. A yellow, air-sensitive adduct is formed with <a href="/facts/2%2c2%2527-bipyridine/3br0q27A">2,2'-bipyridine</a>.

Dimethylcadmium open-in-new

Dimethylcadmium