Dimethyl telluride

Dimethyltelluride is an organotelluride compound, formula (CH3)2Te, also known by the abbreviation DMTe.

This was the first material used to grow epitaxial cadmium telluride and mercury cadmium telluride using metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy. CAS registry number. Dimethyltelluride as a product of microbial metabolism was first discovered in 1939. Dimethyltelluride is produced by some fungi and bacteria (Penicillium brevicaule, P. chrysogenum, and P. notatum and the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens).

It is highly toxic to humans. It is produced by the body when tellurium or one of its compounds are ingested. It is noticeable by its garlic-like smell. Anyone who has been working with or exposed to tellurium and exhibits this garlic-like smell on the breath, sweat or in the urine should remove themselves from the area. Tellurium is known to be toxic.