Dialkylarsine

Dialkylarsine refers to organoarsenic compounds with the general formula R2AsH, where R represents an alkyl group and As is the arsenic atom. These compounds are characterized by a trivalent arsenic atom bonded to two alkyl groups and one hydrogen atom. They are considered derivatives of arsine (AsH3), where two hydrogen atoms have been replaced by alkyl substituents.

Dialkylarsines are typically volatile, often foul-smelling liquids. Their reactivity stems from the lone pair of electrons on the arsenic atom and the relatively weak arsenic-hydrogen bond. They can undergo oxidation, readily reacting with oxygen to form more oxidized arsenic species. They also exhibit nucleophilic character and can react with electrophiles.

Synthesis of dialkylarsines can be achieved through various methods, often involving the reduction of dialkylarsenic halides or the reaction of organolithium or Grignard reagents with arsenic trihalides followed by reduction.

Dialkylarsines have found limited applications primarily in research settings. Due to the toxicity associated with many arsenic compounds, their handling requires significant caution. The specific properties and applications of dialkylarsines depend on the nature of the alkyl groups attached to the arsenic atom.