Aquanitrilotris(methylenephosphonato)bis(dimercury(I)) hydrate, [(Hg2)2(H2O)N(CH2PO3)3H2] · H2O: Synthesis, structure, and properties

Abstract

A reaction of dimercury(I) dinitrate with nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid), N(CH₂PO₃)₃H₆, gave the complex [(Hg₂)₂(H₂O){N(CH₂PO₃)₃H₂}] · H₂O. The crystals of the complex are triclinic, space group \(P\bar 1\), Z = 2, a = 8.3436(3), b = 9.0744(3), c = 11.1124(4) Å, α = 91.875(3)°, β = 104.452(3)°, γ = 92.195(3)° (CIF file CCDC no. 1051860). The atoms of either dimercury cation are coordinated differently, making up a distorted tetrahedron and a distorted trigonal bipyramid. The ligand is coordinated to the Hg atoms through seven donor atoms: six (out of nine) O atoms and a N atom. The coordination involves the formation of chelate rings: two four-membered, three five-membered, a six-membered, and an eight-membered ring (CIF file CCDC no. 1051860).