Bromomethane
Definition and meaning of Bromomethane in chemistry.
Bromomethane is a colorless, dense gas consisting of a methyl group bonded to a single bromine atom, making it the simplest alkyl (primary) bromide. It is also widely known by its common name, methyl bromide.
In more detail
Bromomethane condenses just below room temperature (boiling point 3.6°C) and is produced both naturally by marine algae and kelp and industrially for chemical synthesis. Because bromide is a good leaving group, it reacts readily as an electrophile in SN2 substitutions, making it a common methylating agent in organic synthesis. For decades it was also manufactured as a soil and structural fumigant, but its production for that use was phased out under the Montreal Protocol once it was identified as a potent ozone-depleting substance. It is also acutely toxic and neurotoxic if inhaled.
Key facts
| Formula | CH3Br |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 94.94 g/mol |
| Boiling point | 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) |
| Field | Organic Chemistry |
Treating sodium phenoxide with bromomethane displaces bromide via SN2 attack to give anisole (methyl phenyl ether), a textbook Williamson ether synthesis.
Frequently asked questions
Is bromomethane the same thing as methyl bromide?
Yes, methyl bromide is simply the common/trade name for bromomethane (CH3Br).
Why is bromomethane no longer used as a fumigant?
It is a potent ozone-depleting substance, so its production and consumption for fumigation were phased out worldwide under the Montreal Protocol, with only limited critical-use exemptions remaining.