Dimethylphosphine
Dimethylphosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula, often written. It is a malodorous gas that condenses to a colorless liquid just below room temperature. Although it can be produced by methylation of phosphine, a more practical synthesis involves the reduction of tetramethyldiphosphine disulfide with tributylphosphine:
Reactions
The compound exhibits the properties characteristic of a secondary phosphine, i.e., a compound of the type. It can be oxidized to the phosphinic acid:It can be protonated to give the dimethylphosphonium ion:
With strong bases :