The complexes [cation]
[Hg(SR)3](R = Me, cation = Et4N+; R = But,
cation = Et4N+, Bu4N+, [N(Ph3P)2]+)
have been prepared. The crystal structure of the methanethiolate
complex shows that it contains centrosymmetric dinuclear
anions [(MeS)2Hg(�-SMe)2Hg(SMe)2]2- with distorted tetrahedral
geometry about the mercury atoms. Vibrational
spectroscopic evidence suggests that this complex dissociates on dissolution in
ethanol to give mononuclear [Hg(SMe)3]-
species. The ButS- complexes appear to
exist as mononuclear [Hg(SBut)3]-
species both in the solid state and in solution. The metal-sulfur stretching
frequencies are assigned for all of the complexes studied, and the vibrational spectra are discussed in terms of the
structures of the complex anions involved. Crystal data for [(C2H5)4N]2Hg2(SCH3)6
: a 8.656(5), b gS130(6), c 12.368(8) �;
α 102.16(4), β 105.51(4), γ 105.29(4)�; space group P1, Z 1, R
0.034, Rw 0.042.
