The reaction of an aqueous slurry of HgI2 and an acetone solution of (Et3S)
I (molar ratio 1:2) gives the title compound, [(C2H5)(3)S](2)[HgI4], which
contains discrete pyramidal Et3S+ and tetrahedral HgI42- ions. The bond dis
tances of the anion (Hg1-I1 and Hg1-I2) are 2.780 (1) and 2.790 (1) Angstro
m.