Dimethyl selenide is the
organoselenium compound with the formula (CH3)2Se. This colorless, malodorous, liquid is the simplest
selenoether. It occurs in trace amounts in anaerobic environments[1] and in the atmosphere due to
biomethylation of selenium.[2][3]
Dimethyl selenide is prepared by treating Se2− sources with electrophilic methylating agents such as
methyl iodide:
^Chasteen, Thomas G.; Bentley, Ronald (2003). "Biomethylation of Selenium and Tellurium: Microorganisms and Plants". Chem. Rev.103 (1): 1–26.
doi:
10.1021/cr010210+.
^Atkinson, Roger; Aschmann, Sara M.; Hasegawa, David; Thompson-Eagle, Elisabeth T.; Frankenberger Jr., William T. (1990). "Kinetics of the atmospherically important reactions of dimethyl selenide". Environ. Sci. Technol.24 (9): 1326–1332.
doi:
10.1021/es00079a005.