Dimethylmagnesium

Dimethylmagnesium is an organomagnesium compound with the chemical formula Mg(CH3)2. It is a white solid at room temperature. It is typically prepared by the reaction of methylmagnesium bromide or chloride with dimethylmercury or by the direct reaction of magnesium metal with methyl halides in the presence of a suitable catalyst. Dimethylmagnesium is a strong base and a potent nucleophile, making it a useful reagent in organic synthesis. It readily reacts with protic solvents like water and alcohols, and also with electrophiles such as carbonyl compounds and alkyl halides. Due to its high reactivity, it is usually handled under an inert atmosphere to prevent decomposition and reaction with air or moisture. It is often used in Grignard reagent preparation and in various coupling reactions. Its applications are primarily in research laboratories and specialized industrial processes.