Decomposition reactions of organometallic compounds

Organometallic compounds are rather frequent, and from the biological viewpoint dangerous pollutants of the environment. 

In general, a degradation reaction of bivalent metals can be illustrated as follows  

Trimethylaluminium can be used as a typical example of degradation reactions of trivalent organometallic compounds  

Reactions of tetravalent organometallic compounds can be exemplified by tetraethyl lead, which is very widely used as a petrol additive  

In these reactions it is important to note particularly the ability of radical intermediates to evoke a chain reaction with known effects on living organisms. 

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