Reaction proceeds due to both electronegativity and hardness considerations.
Dialkylmercury compounds are very versatile starting materials for the synthesis of many organometallic compounds of more elctropositive metals by transmetallation.
However, owing to high toxicity of alkylmercury compounds, other synthons are preferred. In striking contrast to the high sensitivity of dimethylzinc to oxygen, dimethylmercury survives exposure to air. |
