tetramethylmetallane

Tetramethylmetallane is a class of chemical compounds with the general formula M(CH3)4, where M represents a metal. These compounds are characterized by a central metal atom bonded to four methyl groups. The properties of tetramethylmetallanes vary significantly depending on the specific metal involved. For example, tetramethyltin (Sn(CH3)4) is a volatile liquid, while tetramethyllead (Pb(CH3)4) is also a liquid but is highly toxic and was historically used as an antiknock agent in gasoline.

Tetramethylsilane (Si(CH3)4) is a common reference compound in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy due to its simple and sharp NMR signal. It is inert and volatile, making it ideal for this purpose. Tetramethylgermanium (Ge(CH3)4) is a precursor used in the deposition of germanium-containing thin films. The synthesis of tetramethylmetallanes often involves reactions between metal halides and organometallic reagents such as methyl Grignard reagents or methyl lithium. Their reactivity and stability are influenced by the electronic configuration and size of the central metal atom. Due to the toxicity of some members, like tetramethyllead, their use has been restricted or phased out in many applications.