Crystal and molecular structure of the dimeric 1 : 1 addition compound of mercury(II) chloride and triphenylphosphine selenide

Abstract

The complex of empirical formula HgCl₂(Ph₃PSe) crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, in a unit cell of dimensions a= 10·51 ± 0·07, b= 13·05 ± 0·07, c= 17·83 ± 0·05 Å, β= 128° 3′± 20′ containing two discrete, dimeric, centrosymmetric chlorine-bridged molecules [HgCl₂(Ph₃PSe)]₂. Bond lengths in the dimer are Hg–Cl(bridging) 2·60, 2·78, Hg–Cl(terminal) 2·33, and Hg–Se 2·53 Å. The mercury atom is in a distorted tetrahedral environment and the angle Hg–Se–P is 98·1°.