Reactivity of mercury(II) halides with the unsymmetrical phosphorus ylide Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2C(H)C(O)Ph: Crystal structure of {HgI2[PPh2CH2CH2PPh2C(H)C(O)Ph]}n

The unsymmetrical phosphorus ylide, Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2C(H)C(O)Ph is shown to react with Hg(II) halides to form polymeric products with the composition {HgX2[PPh2CH2CH2PPh2C(H)C(O)Ph]}n, where X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3). The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 31P NMR spectra as well as by ESI mass spectra. In product 1 the ylide exhibits a P, C-bridging mode of coordination, while in 2 and 3 it shows a monodentate P-coordination with the dangling ylide. The structure of complex 3 has been characterized crystallographically. The monomeric –Hg–I–Hg– bridging in 3 leads to a zig-zag polymeric chain in which mercury assumes a distorted tetrahedral geometry.

Graphical abstractThe title ylide and Hg(II) halides react to form polymeric complexes, {HgX2(PPh2CH2CH2 PPh2C(H)C(O)Ph)}n, where X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3). The ylide in complex 1 exhibits P, C- bridging mode of coordination. The products 2 and 3 are halo bridged complexes involving P-coordination with the dangling ylide.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide