Diethyl mercury (CHEM001176)

Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2009-06-19 21:58:40 UTC
Update Date2026-08-17 20:30:33 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM001176
Identification
Common NameDiethyl mercury
ClassSmall Molecule
Description
Diethyl mercury is an organomercuric compound. Mercury is a heavy, silvery d-block metal and one of six elements that are liquid at or near room temperature and pressure. It is a naturally occuring substance, and combines with other elements such as chlorine, sulfur, or oxygen to form inorganic mercury compounds (salts). Mercury also combines with carbon to make organic mercury compounds. (6)
Contaminant Sources
  • T3DB toxins
Contaminant Type
  • Human Neurotoxin
  • Industrial/Workplace Toxin
  • Mercury Compound
  • Organic Compound
  • Organometallic
  • Pollutant
  • Synthetic Compound
Chemical Structure
MOLSDFPDBSMILESInChI
Synonyms
ValueSource
DiethylmercuryMeSH
Chemical FormulaC4H10Hg
Average Molecular Mass258.710 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass260.049 g/mol
CAS Registry Number627-44-1
IUPAC Namediethylmercury
Traditional Namediethylmercury
SMILESCC[Hg]CC
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/2C2H5.Hg/c2*1-2;/h2*1H2,2H3;
InChI KeySPIUPAOJDZNUJH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as transition metal alkyls. These are metal alkyls, where the alkyl group is attached to a transition metal atom.
KingdomOrganic compounds
Super ClassOrganometallic compounds
ClassMetal alkyls
Sub ClassTransition metal alkyls
Direct ParentTransition metal alkyls
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Transition metal alkyl
  • Hydrocarbon derivative
  • Alkyl mercury compound
  • Organic salt
  • Organomercurial-compound
  • Organic transition metal moeity
  • Aliphatic acyclic compound
Molecular FrameworkAliphatic acyclic compounds
External DescriptorsNot Available
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginExogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue LocationsNot Available
PathwaysNot Available
ApplicationsNot Available
Biological RolesNot Available
Chemical RolesNot Available
Physical Properties
StateLiquid
AppearanceNot Available
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting Point< 25°C
Boiling PointNot Available
SolubilityNot Available
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
Water Solubility34.7 g/LALOGPS
logP1ALOGPS
logP1.1ChemAxon
logS-0.87ALOGPS
Physiological Charge0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count0ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area0 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count2ChemAxon
Refractivity20.69 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability10.73 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
BioavailabilityYesChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleYesChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureOral (8) ; inhalation (8) ; dermal (8)
Mechanism of ToxicityHigh-affinity binding of the divalent mercuric ion to thiol or sulfhydryl groups of proteins is believed to be the major mechanism for the activity of mercury. Through alterations in intracellular thiol status, mercury can promote oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and changes in heme metabolism. Mercury is known to bind to microsomal and mitochondrial enzymes, resulting in cell injury and death. For example, mercury is known to inhibit aquaporins, halting water flow across the cell membrane. It also inhibits the protein LCK, which causes decreased T-cell signalling and immune system depression. Mercury is also believed to inhibit neuronal excitability by acting on the postsynaptic neuronal membrane. It also affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C and alkaline phosphatase, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. Mercury also produces an autoimmune response, likely by modification of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, self peptides, T-cell receptors, or cell-surface adhesion molecules. (8, 3, 4, 5)
MetabolismOrganic mercury is absorbed mainly by the gastrointestinal tract, then distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. Organic mercury complexes with free cysteine and the cysteine and sulfhydryl groups on proteins such as haemoglobin. These complexes are able to mimic methionine and thus be transported throughout the body, including through the blood-brain barrier and placenta. Organic mercury is metabolized into inorganic mercury, which is eventually excreted in the urine and faeces. (12)
Toxicity ValuesNot Available
Lethal Dose100 mg for an adult human (average for organic mercurials). (13)
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)No indication of carcinogenicity (not listed by IARC). (11)
Uses/SourcesNot Available
Minimum Risk LevelChronic Inhalation: 0.0002 mg/m3 (10)
Health EffectsMercury mainly affects the nervous system. Exposure to high levels of metallic, inorganic, or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. Effects on brain functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems. Acrodynia, a type of mercury poisoning in children, is characterized by pain and pink discoloration of the hands and feet. Mercury poisoning can also cause Hunter-Russell syndrome and Minamata disease. (8)
SymptomsCommon symptoms include peripheral neuropathy (presenting as paresthesia or itching, burning or pain), skin discoloration (pink cheeks, fingertips and toes), edema (swelling), and desquamation (dead skin peels off in layers). (1)
TreatmentMercury poisoning is treated by immediate decontamination and chelation therapy using DMSA, DMPS, DPCN, or dimercaprol. (2)
Concentrations
Not Available
External Links
DrugBank IDNot Available
HMDB IDNot Available
FooDB IDNot Available
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG IDNot Available
BioCyc IDNot Available
METLIN IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkDiethylmercury
Chemspider IDNot Available
ChEBI IDNot Available
PubChem Compound ID12318
Kegg Compound IDNot Available
YMDB IDNot Available
ECMDB IDNot Available
References
Synthesis ReferenceNot Available
MSDSNot Available
General References