Unstable intermediates. Part CI. Electron spin resonance spectra of the cations HgH2+, HgOH2+, HgOEt2+ and Hg23+ or Hg2+

Abstract

Exposure of acidified aqueous or alcoholic solutions containing mercurous or mercuric salts to ⁶⁰Co γ-rays at 77 K gave various species having hyperfine components in the high-field region characteristic of ¹⁹⁹Hg and ²⁰¹Hg. These species are thought to be Hg⁺(A, ¹⁹⁹Hg ca. 12,500 G), HgH⁺(A, ¹⁹⁹Hg = 4500 G; A, ¹H = 300 G), HgOH⁺, and HgOEt⁺(A, ¹⁹⁹Hg = 4600 G) and either Hg₂⁺ or Hg₂³⁺(A, ¹⁹⁹Hg = 6700 G). The mode of formation and electronic structures of these species are discussed.