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Mercuric Ionic Liquids: [Cnmim][HgX3], Where n = 3, 4 and X = Cl, Br
Inorganic Chemistry (2012)
  • Bert Mallick
  • Andreas Metlen, University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
  • Mark Nieuwenhuyzen
  • Robin D. Rogers, University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
  • Anja V. Mudring
Abstract

A series of mercury(II) ionic liquids, [Cnmim][HgX3], where [Cnmim] = n-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium with n = 3, 4 and X = Cl, Br, have been synthesized following two different synthetic approaches, and structurally characterized by means of single-crystal X-ray structure analysis ([C3mim][HgCl3] (1), Cc (No. 9), Z = 4, a = 16.831(4) Å, b = 10.7496(15) Å, c = 7.4661(14) Å, β = 105.97(2)°, V = 1298.7(4) Å3 at 298 K; [C4mim][HgCl3] (2), Cc (No. 9), Z = 4, a = 17.3178(28) Å, b = 10.7410(15) Å, c = 7.4706(14) Å, β = 105.590(13)°, V = 1338.5(4) Å3 at 170 K; [C3mim][HgBr3] (3), P21/c (No. 14), Z = 4, a = 10.2041(10) Å, b = 10.7332(13) Å, c = 14.5796(16) Å, β = 122.47(2)°, V = 1347.2(3) Å3 at 170 K; [C4mim][HgBr3] (4), Cc (No. 9), Z = 4, a = 17.093(3) Å, b = 11.0498(14) Å, c = 7.8656(12) Å, β = 106.953(13)°, V = 1421.1(4) Å3 at 170 K). Compounds 1, 2, and 4 are isostructural and are characterized by strongly elongated trigonal [HgX5] bipyramids, which are connected via common edges in chains. In contrast, 3 contains [Hg2Br6] units formed by two edge-sharing tetrahedra. With melting points of 69.3 °C (1), 93.9 °C (2), 39.5 °C (3), and 58.3 °C (4), all compounds qualify as ionic liquids. 1, 2, and 4 solidify upon fast cooling as glasses, whereas 3 crystallizes. Cyclic voltammetry shows two separate, quasi-reversible redox processes, which can be associated with the 2Hg2+/Hg22+ and Hg22+/2Hg redox couples.

Publication Date
2012
Publisher Statement
Reprinted with permission from Inorg. Chem., 2012, 51 (1), pp 193–200). Copyright (2012) American Chemical Society.
Citation Information
Bert Mallick, Andreas Metlen, Mark Nieuwenhuyzen, Robin D. Rogers, et al.. "Mercuric Ionic Liquids: [Cnmim][HgX3], Where n = 3, 4 and X = Cl, Br" Inorganic Chemistry Vol. 51 Iss. 1 (2012)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/anja_mudring/18/