Dimethylphosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula (CH₃)₂PH, often written Me₂PH. It is a malodorous gas that condenses to a colorless liquid just below room temperature. Although it can be produced by methylation of

phosphine Phosphine (IUPAC name: phosphane) is a colorless, flammable, highly toxic compound with the chemical formula , classed as a pnictogen hydride. Pure phosphine is odorless, but technical grade samples have a highly unpleasant odor like rotting ...

, a more practical synthesis involves the reduction of tetramethyldiphosphine disulfide with

tributylphosphine Tributylphosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula P(CH). Abbreviated or PBu, it is a tertiary phosphine. It is an oily liquid at room temperature, with a nauseating odor. It reacts slowly with atmospheric oxygen, and rapidly wi ...

:A. Trenkle, H. Vahrenkamp “Dimethylphosphine” Inorganic Syntheses 1982, volume 21, p. 180. : e₂P(S)sub>2 + PBu₃ + H₂O → Me₂PH + SPBu₃ + Me₂P(O)H

Reactions

The compound exhibits the properties characteristic of a secondary

, i.e., a compound of the type R₂PH. It can be oxidized to the phosphinic acid: :Me₂PH + O₂ → Me₂PO₂H It protonates to give the

phosphonium In polyatomic cations with the chemical formula (where R is a hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, or halide group). These cations have tetrahedral structures. The salts are generally colorless or take the color of the anions. Types of phosphonium ...

ion: :Me₂PH + H⁺ → Me₂PH₂⁺ With strong bases, it can be deprotonated to give dimethyl

phosphide In chemistry, a phosphide is a compound containing the ion or its equivalent. Many different phosphides are known, with widely differing structures. Most commonly encountered on the binary phosphides, i.e. those materials consisting only of phos ...

derivatives: :Me₂PH + LiNH₂ → Me₂PLi + NH₃

References

{{Reflist Phosphines Foul-smelling chemicals