On the synthesis and structure of HgSe clusters: Synthetic-structural considerations and optical features of new cluster compounds

► Synthesis of five single binuclear Hg(SePh) clusters stabilized by octahedral complexes. ► X-ray structural characterization of all compounds. ► Optical features and HOMO-LUMO energy-gaps obtained graphically from UV-Vis absorption spectra. ► Discussion about the non-inclusion of Mg2+, Fe2+ and Ni2+ into the cluster structure.