Things I Won't Work With: Straight Dimethyl Zinc

In his 'Things I Won't Work With' series, chemist Derek Lowe recounts his terrifying encounters with dimethyl zinc, a compound so reactive it ignites on contact with air and explodes in water. He describes the extreme precautions required to handle it, including using it only in dilute solutions and under inert atmospheres, and shares anecdotes of lab accidents that underscore its danger. The post blends technical detail with dark humor, offering a gripping look at the hazards of working with pyrophoric reagents.