Vibrational spectra of crystalline halomercurate(II) complexes

Abstract

The vibrational spectra of crystalline halomercurate salts with anionic stoicheiometries HgX₃^-, HgX₄^2-, Hg₂X₅-, Hg₃X₈^2- (where X = Cl, Br, I) have been studied. The cations Me₄N+, Et₄N+, Ph₄As+, and pyH+ were used as necessary. The effect of crystalline symmetry and packing on the spectra of both anion and cation are discussed and the spectra are used to deduce the most probable crystalline packing for salts containing the Hg₂X₅- and Hg3X₈^2- species. The spectra of the cations Me₄N⁺ and Et₄N⁺ are assigned and discussed.