Diazomethane

General Information:

Structure:

CAS Number: 334-88-3

Molecular Weight: 42.04 g/mol

Appearance: Yellow gas

Melting Point: -145 C

Boiling Point: -23 C

Diazomethane is a reagent typically used to methylate various functional groups such as carboxylic acids, alcohols, phenols, and amides. The most common use of diazomethane is to convert carboxylic acids to esters. Diazomethane is usually prepared from the decomposition of a N-methyl-N-nitrosoamines such as Diazald. Diazomethane is highly toxic and can detonate unexpectedly, thus should be handled with care.

References:

1) Wikipedia: Diazomethane (link)

2) Pearson, A. J.; Roush, W. R.; Handbook of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Activating Agents and Protecting Groups