Diethyl selenide

Diethyl selenide is an organoselenium compound with the formula C
4
H
10
Se
. First reported in 1836, it was the first organoselenium compound to be discovered.[1][2] It is the selenium analogue of diethyl ether. It has a strong and unpleasant smell.

Diethyl selenide
3D model of Diethyl selenide
skeletal model of Diethyl selenide
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(Ethylselanyl)ethane
Other names
Ethyl selenide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
UN number2630
  • InChI=1S/C4H10Se/c1-3-5-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3
    Key: ALCDAWARCQFJBA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CC[Se]CC
Properties
C4H10Se
Molar mass137.09 g/mol
Appearancecolorless liquid
Density1.232 g/ml
Melting point−87 °C (−125 °F; 186 K)
Boiling point108 °C (226 °F; 381 K)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Flammability, toxicity
GHS labelling:
GHS02: FlammableGHS06: ToxicGHS05: CorrosiveGHS09: Environmental hazardGHS08: Health hazard
Danger
H225, H301, H331, H373, H410
P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P310, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P311, P314, P321, P330, P370+P378, P391, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
Flash point22 °C (72 °F; 295 K)
Not available
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Occurrence

Diethyl selenide has been detected in biofuel produced from plantain peel.[3]It is also a minor air pollutant in some areas.

Preparation

It may be prepared by a substitution reaction similar to the Williamson ether synthesis: reaction of a metal selenide, such as sodium selenide, with two equivalents of ethyl iodide or similar reagent to supply the ethyl groups:


References