Question 352 Deck General

The correct answer is B) lead. When tetraethyl or tetramethyl lead compounds are heated to breakdown, they emit highly toxic fumes of lead. This is because these compounds contain lead atoms bonded to organic groups, and when heated, the organic groups are released, leaving behind the toxic lead element. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the products of the thermal breakdown of these lead-containing compounds. Hydrogen gas, bromide, and phosgene are not the primary toxic emissions from this process.