Synthesis, spectroscopic and X-ray structural studies of mercury(II) halide complexes of 4-methoxybenzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane

The reactions of the title ylide {(C6H5)3PCHCOC6H4OCH3)} (MBPPY) with mercury(II) chloride and mercury(II) bromide in equimolar ratios using methanol as the solvent produces crystals of [(MBPPY) · HgCl2]2 (1) and [(MBPPY) · HgBr2]2 (2), respectively. Single crystal X-ray analyses reveal the presence of centrosymmetric dimeric structures containing the ylide and HgX2 (X = Cl or Br) in both cases. The IR and NMR data of the product [(MBPPY) · HgI2]2 (3), formed by the reaction of mercury(II) iodide with the same ylide, are similar to those of 1 and 2. Analytical data indicate a 1:1 stoichiometry between the ylide and Hg(II) halide in each of the three products.

The reaction of a phosphorus ylide, 4-methoxybenzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane, {(Ph)3PCHCOC6H4OCH3}, with mercury(II) halides yielded dimeric complexes of the form [{(Ph)3PCHCOC6H4OCH3}(HgX2)]2 (where X = Cl, Br or I). Single crystal X-ray analysis of the chloride and bromide complexes reveals the presence of a centrosymmetric dimeric structure.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide