Dimethylphosphine

Dimethylphosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula (CH3)2PH, often written Me2PH. It is a malodorous gas that condenses to a colorless liquid just below room temperature. Although it can be produced by methylation of phosphine, a more practical synthesis involves the reduction of tetramethyldiphosphine disulfide with tributylphosphine:
 * (CH3)2P(S)\sP(S)(CH3)2 + P((CH2)3CH3)3 + H2O → (CH3)2PH + SP((CH2)3CH3)3 + (CH3)2P(O)(OH)

Reactions
The compound exhibits the properties characteristic of a secondary phosphine, i.e., a compound of the type R2PH. It can be oxidized to the phosphinic acid:
 * (CH3)2PH + O2 → (CH3)2P(O)(OH)

It can be protonated to give the dimethylphosphonium ion:
 * (CH3)2PH + H+ → [(CH3)2PH2]+

With strong bases (e.g., lithium amide, it can be deprotonated to give dimethyl phosphide derivatives (e.g., lithium dimethyl phosphide):
 * (CH3)2PH + LiNH2 → (CH3)2PLi + NH3