Preparation and crystal structure of Na4[Hg4(µ-Cl)4{P(O)(OEt)2}8]·6H2O

Abstract

The title complex was obtained from an aqueous solution containing [Hg{P(O)(OEt)₂}₂] and NaCl. The crystal and molecular structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecular structure consists of discrete, eight-membered, centrosymmetric, nearly square (Hg–Cl)₄ rings with the mercury atoms positioned in the corners Hg–Cl (mean) 2.853 Å; Cl–Hg–Cl (mean) 89.7, Hg–Cl–Hg (mean) 166.0°. Two P(O)(OEt)₂ ligands are co-ordinated to each mercury atom. The Hg–P bonds are nearly perpendicular to the ring [Hg–P (mean) 2.402 Å, P–Hg–P (mean) 165.7°].