Synthesis and NMR spectroscopy of dichlorobis(acetophenonethiosemicarbazone) mercury(II) formed from phenylmercury(II) chloride and acetophenonethiosemicarbazone: The first example of symmetrisation in organomercury(II)-thiosemicarbazone chemistry

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/s0020-1693(97)05574-6

The reaction of phenylmercury(II) chloride with acetophenonethiosemicarbazone (Hatsc) in ethanol in 1:1 mole ratio undergoes symmetrisation forming the products, HgCl₂(Hatsc)₂ and Ph₂Hg instead of the anticipated compound PhHgCl(Hatsc). The analytical data, some physical properties, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹⁹Hg) spectroscopy all support the formation of HgCl₂(Hatsc)₂. ¹⁹⁹Hg NMR of the solid obtained from the filtrate of the reaction provides evidence for Ph₂Hg. This reaction represents the first example of a symmetrisation phenomenon observed in organomercury(II)-thiosemicarbazone chemistry.