INTERACTION OF METHYL-MERCURY(II) AND PHENYL-MERCURY(II) WITH THE TRIPOD LIGAND TRIS(2-DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL)AMINE

Reactions of [(HgR)(CF3SO3)] (R = CH3 or C6H5) With tris(2-dimethylami noethyl)amine (trenMe6) give the complexes [(trenMe6)HgR][CF3SO3]. The se have been characterized by H-1 and C-13(H-1) NMR spectroscopy and t he complex formation equilibria in aqueous solution between methylmerc ury(II) ion and trenMe6 have been investigated. A complete X-ray analy sis of the phenylmercury derivative has been carried out. The complexe s appear to be five-coordinate both in the solid state and in organic solvents; potentiometric investigations also support strongly the tota l coordination of trenMe6 to methyl-mercury(II) in aqueous solution.