Dimethylphosphine
Dimethylphosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula 2PH, often written Me2PH. It is a malodorous gas that condenses to a colorless liquid just below room temperature. Although it can be produced by methylation of phosphine, a more practical synthesis involves the reduction of tetramethyldiphosphine disulfide with tributylphosphine:Reactions
The compound exhibits the properties characteristic of a secondary phosphine, i.e., a compound of the type R2PH. It can be oxidized to the phosphinic acid:
It protonates to give the phosphonium ion:
With strong bases, it can be deprotonated to give dimethylphosphide derivatives:
