SYNTHESIS OF BIS(1,2,4-TRI(TERT-BUTYL)CYCLOPENTADIENYL)MERCURY BY TRANSFER OF ALKYLATED CYCLOPENTADIENYL RINGS FROM BISMUTH TO MERCURY (TRANSMETALATION)

Bis{1,2,4-tri(tert-butyl)cyclopentadienyl}mercury 2 has been obtained by sodium amalgam reduction of Chloro-bis(1,2,4-tri(tert-butyl)cyclope ntadienyl} The crystal structure of 2 (P $($) over bar$$ 1, a = 10.564 (4) Angstrom, b = 11.8230(10) Angstrom, c = 15.546(4) Angstrom, alpha = 69.160(10)degrees, beta = 82.49(2)degrees, gamma = 64.100(10)degrees , V = 1631.7(8) Angstrom(3)) consists of a linear two-coordinated merc ury complex with sigma bonded tri(tert-butyl)cyclopentadienyl rings. I n solution 2 is fluxional on the NMR time scale even at 165 K.