| Abstract: | Two synthetic routes to 14C-labelled trimethyllead chloride ((CH3)3PbCl) from 14C-methyl iodide (CH3I) were investigated. Alkylation of (CH3)3PbCl with labelled methylmagnesium halide, on a microscale, was less efficient for the synthesis of tetramethyllead ((CH3)4Pb) than was an electrochemical reduction of labelled CH3I at a sacrificial lead cathode. In the Grignard approach, unlabelled decyl bromide served as an initiator for the reaction of 14C-CH3l with excess Mg and as a carrier during the subsequent alkylation of (CH3)3PbCl. In the electrochemical approach a two-compartment cell, using dimethylformamide as solvent and sodium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte, offered several advantages over a single compartment reactor. The labelled (CH3)4Pb from both reactions was isolated by extraction, converted to (CH3)3PbCl by controlled oxidation with HCl and purified by thin layer chromatography. |
