Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of RSHg^II complexes, including complexes of Bu^tSHgX (X = Cl, Br) and RSHgO₂CMe (R = Me, Et) with pyridine

Abstract

The complexes RSHgX (R = Et, Bu^t; X = Cl, Br) may be prepared by reaction of the alkanethiol with HgX₂ in ethanol, and the 2- methylpropane-2-thiolates crystallize from pyridine as (Bu^tSHgCl)₂-C₅H₅N and Bu^tSHgBr,C₅H₅N. The complexes RSHgO₂CMe (R = Me, Et) may be prepared by reaction of mercuric acetate with Hg(SR)₂ in water, and form crystalline RSHgO₂CMe,C₅H₅N when dissolved in pyridine. Infrared and Raman spectra indicate coordination of pyridine in the pyridinates. Mercury-sulfur stretching vibrations of RSHgO₂CMe (R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu) are discussed.