Vibrational spectra of mercury(I) nitrate in aqueous solution and of the crystalline hydrolysis products

Abstract

Aqueous solutions of 'mercurous nitrate' are shown by Raman spectra to contain the complexes [Hg₂(OH₂)NO₃]⁺ and [Hg₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺. Crystalline dimercury(I) nitrate, Hg₂(NO₃)₂,2H₂O, and its solid hydrolysis products Hg₂(OH)₂,₃Hg₂(NO₃)₂, 2Hg₂(OH)₂,3Hg₂(NO₃)₂,H₂O and Hg₂(OH)₂,_- Hg₂(NO₃)₂ have been obtained: the vibrational spectra are reported and interpreted in terms of possible structures. Modes v(Hg-Hg) appear in the range 170- 200 cm^-1 and are sensitive to the particular combination of the ligands OH, ONO₂, and H₂O attached to the dimercury(I) ion.