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What products form when dimethylzinc reacts with water?

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periodic table with group numbers and the s, p, d, and f blocks — organometallic compound The periodic table of the elements, displaying the group numbers and the s, p, d, and f blocks. Elements in the shaded area are the metals of organometallic chemistry.

When dimethylzinc reacts with water, it undergoes a rapid hydrolysis reaction. This process results in the production of methane gas and solid zinc hydroxide.1

The chemical equation for this reaction is:
$Z n (C H_{3})_{2} + 2 H_{2} O \to Z n (O H)_{2} + 2 C H_{4}$

This reaction occurs because the organic groups in organometallic compounds containing active metals, such as zinc, possess a partial negative charge. This gives them a strong basic character, allowing them to readily accept a proton from water.1