Abstract

A novel mercury iodide adduct [HgI₂(4,4′-azpy)]_n (4,4′-azpy⊕=⊕4,4′-azopyridine) was synthesized in THF. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that it exhibits a zigzag chain structure with distorted tetrahedral Hg centers. Its optical response to incident light shows considerable optical absorptive activity and a strong self-focusing effect with α₂⊕=⊕1.3⊕×⊕10⁻¹¹ m W⁻¹, n₂⊕=⊕5.39⊕×⊕10⁻¹⁸ m² W⁻¹.