Cacodyl oxide
Encyclopedia
Cacodyl oxide is a chemical compound
of the formula
[(CH3)2As]2O. This organoarsenic compound
is primarily of historical significance as it is sometimes considered to be the first organometallic compound synthesized in relatively pure form.
"Cadet's fuming liquid
", which is composed of cacodyl
and cacodyl oxide, was originally synthesized
by heating sodium acetate
with arsenic trioxide
. It has a disagreeable odor
and is toxic. It has been used as a denaturing
and warning agent.
Chemical compound
A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
of the formula
Chemical formula
A chemical formula or molecular formula is a way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound....
[(CH3)2As]2O. This organoarsenic compound
Organoarsenic compound
Organoarsenic chemistry is the chemistry of compounds containing a chemical bond between arsenic and carbon. A few organoarsenic compounds, also called "organoarsenicals," are produced industrially with uses as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. In general these applications are declining in...
is primarily of historical significance as it is sometimes considered to be the first organometallic compound synthesized in relatively pure form.
"Cadet's fuming liquid
Cadet's fuming liquid
Cadet's fuming liquid was the first organometallic compound to be synthesized. In 1760, the French chemist Louis Claude Cadet de Gassicourt synthesized a red liquid by the reaction of potassium acetate with arsenic trioxide....
", which is composed of cacodyl
Cacodyl
Cacodyl, dicacodyl, tetramethyldiarsine, alkarsine or minor part of the "Cadet's fuming liquid" 2As—As2 is a poisonous oily liquid with a garlicky odor...
and cacodyl oxide, was originally synthesized
Chemical synthesis
In chemistry, chemical synthesis is purposeful execution of chemical reactions to get a product, or several products. This happens by physical and chemical manipulations usually involving one or more reactions...
by heating sodium acetate
Sodium acetate
Sodium acetate, CH3COONa, also abbreviated NaOAc, also sodium ethanoate, is the sodium salt of acetic acid. This colourless salt has a wide range of uses.-Industrial:...
with arsenic trioxide
Arsenic trioxide
Arsenic trioxide is the inorganic compound with the formula As2O3. This commercially important oxide of arsenic is the main precursor to other arsenic compounds, including organoarsenic compounds. Approximately 50,000 tonnes are produced annually...
. It has a disagreeable odor
Odor
An odor or odour is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction. Odors are also commonly called scents, which can refer to both pleasant and unpleasant odors...
and is toxic. It has been used as a denaturing
Denaturation (biochemistry)
Denaturation is a process in which proteins or nucleic acids lose their tertiary structure and secondary structure by application of some external stress or compound, such as a strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, an organic solvent , or heat...
and warning agent.