Organomercury Compounds

About: Organomercury Compounds is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 392 publications have been published within this topic receiving 6465 citations.

Organometallic Chemistry: A Historical Perspective

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses organometallic chemistry, which is the border area between the classic subdivisions of organic and inorganic chemistry. It is true that any compound containing carbon may properly be termed an organic compound, but it does not necessarily follow that all the reactions of such compounds are properly classed as organic reactions. The first organometal to be reported was cacodyl [tetramethyldiarsine, (CH 3 ) 4 As 2 ]. Cadet was working on cobalt solutions for use as invisible inks. Cacodyl, and its derivatives are now mostly of historical interest. The conversion of ammonium cyanate to urea led to a rapid development of organic chemistry. Alkyl compounds were isolated first for the less active metals. Isolation of alkyl metals for elements, such as sodium or potassium required the development of chemical techniques. The catalyst must be prepared in a certain way, and the reaction actually yields many products containing one or more silicon atoms. Also during this period, the role of organometals in the formation of free radicals came under study. By the latter part of the 19 th century, the Solvay process for the production of sodium bicarbonate had become very important commercially. The first olefin–metal complex to be isolated had the formula K + [C 2 H 4 PtC1 3 ] - . Atoxyl was very effective against various microorganisms; unfortunately, it was very toxic. Organomercury compounds are the other class of widely used medicinal organometals. Organoarsenicals were used as poison gases in World War I.