The preparation of stable dimercury(I)-nitrogen donor complexes

Abstract

A series of dimercury(1) complexes of the type [Hg₂L₂] [ClO₄]₂ has been prepared with heterocyclic nitrogen donor ligands. Complexes with 2-ethylpyridine and 4-benzylpyridine were of the form [Hg₂L_3.7] [ClO₄]₂ and [Hg₂L₄] [ClO₄]₂ respectively. The formation of a stable complex is found to be dependent on the effective base strength of the ligand.