dialkylarsanyls

Dialkylarsanyls are organoarsenic compounds characterized by a trivalent arsenic atom bonded to two alkyl groups and one organic substituent. The general formula is R2AsR', where R and R' represent alkyl or aryl groups. These compounds are often referred to as alkylarsines or arylarsines, depending on the nature of the R and R' substituents. The arsenic atom in dialkylarsanyls possesses a lone pair of electrons, which contributes to their reactivity and ability to act as ligands in coordination chemistry.

Dialkylarsanyls are typically prepared through reactions involving alkali metal arsenides and alkyl or aryl halides. For instance, the reaction of lithium di(methyl)arsenide with methyl iodide yields trimethylarsine. These compounds can also be synthesized via the reduction of corresponding dialkylarsinic acids or their derivatives. The physical properties of dialkylarsanyls vary depending on the specific alkyl and aryl groups present. Many are volatile liquids with characteristic, often unpleasant, odors.

The chemistry of dialkylarsanyls is diverse. They can undergo oxidation to form dialkylarsinic acids (R2AsOOH) or dialkylarsine oxides (R2AsOR'). They are known to act as Lewis bases, forming complexes with various metal ions. This property makes them useful as ligands in organometallic chemistry and catalysis. However, many dialkylarsanyls are toxic and require careful handling due to the inherent toxicity of arsenic compounds. Their applications are limited, but some have been investigated for use as intermediates in organic synthesis or in specialized material science applications.