Dimethyl telluride as a product of microbial metabolism was first discovered in 1939.[4]
It is produced by some fungi and bacteria (Penicillium brevicaule, P. chrysogenum, and P. notatum and the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens).[5]
The toxicity of DMTe is unclear. It is produced by the body when tellurium or one of its compounds are ingested. It is noticeable by the garlic smelling breath it gives those exposed, similar to the effect of DMSO. Tellurium is known to be toxic.[6]
References
^"dimethyl telluride (CHEBI:4613)". Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI). UK: European Bioinformatics Institute. 25 September 2006. IUPAC Names. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
^Tunnicliffe, J.; Irvine, S. J. C.; Dosser, O. D.; Mullin, J. B. (1984). "A new MOVPE technique for the growth of highly uniform CMT". Journal of Crystal Growth. 68 (1): 245–253. Bibcode:1984JCrGr..68..245T. doi:10.1016/0022-0248(84)90423-8.
^Singh, H. B.; Sudha, N. (1996). "Organotellurium precursors for metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) of mercury cadmium telluride (MCT)". Polyhedron. 15 (5–6): 745–763. doi:10.1016/0277-5387(95)00249-X.
Scott, J. D.; Causley, G. C.; Russell, B. R. (1973). "Vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectra of dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl selenide, and dimethyl telluride". The Journal of Chemical Physics. 59 (12): 6577–6586. Bibcode:1973JChPh..59.6577S. doi:10.1063/1.1680037.