Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Methyliodid and funstuff do do with it

nightflight - 9-2-2007 at 09:08

Hi,

recently a reaction gave methyliodid as a byproduct and
I wonder now, if it´s worth keeping it and what to do with it?

Any input´s appreciated; -I know it´s useful as an alkylating
agent, to introduce a methylgroup to a molecule, if anyone could exlain the mechanism in general of this procedure or give examples, would be appreciated very much!

Thanks,
nightflight

[Edited on 9-2-2007 by nightflight]

Sauron - 9-2-2007 at 09:53

That's a very expensive reagent you are talking about. Absolutely do not throw it away, not only on economic but environmental grounds as it is highly toxic and so I hope you were appropriately careful when you obtained it as a byproduct.

I don't know how pure what you have is, but pure methyl iodide sells for c.$180/Kg and that's only about 400 ml so it's about 45 cents a ml or 20 cents a g roughly.

For a primer on alkylation see Vogel's 3rd ed. in the forum library.

You could make methyl Grignard reagent out of it and Mg turnings in ether or THF.

You could make anisole out of phenol.

You could make methyl thiocyanate.

Do read the book.

But respect that stuff, you do not want to methylate your brain, that spells CANCER in the cranium.

nightflight - 9-2-2007 at 11:19

Wow, that´s a lot of useful applications, especially its application in Grignard, thanks, Sauron, I´ll appreciate CH3I more now:D

Of course, I was careful with it and googled for info on it.

roamingnome - 9-2-2007 at 11:49

ive been looking into

a aqueous Menschutkin reaction for CH3I


russian chemistry...is better done with vodka

Ozone - 9-2-2007 at 18:09

For more enlightening information on methylation (or other alkylating agents, for that matter), look up also, diazomethane and "magic methyl".

I prefer diazomethane,

O3