COMPLEXES OF MERCURIC HALIDES WITH THE TRIPOD LIGAND NP3 (=N(CH2CH2PPH2)3) - MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE OF [(NP3)HGI]I.0.5C2H5OH

Complexes of formulae [(np3)HgX]X (X = Cl, Br, 1) have been prepared b y reaction of the tripod-like ligand np3 (= N(CH2CH2PPh2)3) with mercu ry halides. The molecular structure of the iodide derivative has been established by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study: triclinic, P1 BAR, a = 10.495(6), b = 12.246(7), c = 18.368(9) angstrom, alpha = 106 .55(3), beta = 98.16(4), gamma = 96.66(4)-degrees, Z = 2, final conven tional R value of 0.060. The metal atom displays a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry being coordinated to three phosphorus and one iodine atoms, t he central nitrogens of the tripod ligand being 3.13(1) angstrom apart . The NMR spectra, which are in agreement with the solid state structu re, show the presence of a dynamic process in solution.