Bis[μ-O-isopropyl (4-ethoxyphenyl)dithiophosphonato-κ2S:S′]bis{[O-isopropyl (4-ethoxyphenyl)dithiophosphonato-κ2S,S′]mercury(II)}

Abstract

The title compound, [Hg2(C11H16O2PS2)4], is a dinuclear complex with a distorted tetra­hedral geometry around each HgII atom. Although the two HgII atoms are surrounded by the same ligand, two different coordination modes are observed: one is chelating and the other bridging. The Hg—S bonds form two distinct pairs of long and short bonds. One pair includes both chelating and bridging Hg—S bonds with approximately equal bond lengths of 2.4042 (8) and 2.3997 (7) Å, respectively. The other pair is significantly longer at 2.9361 (9) and 2.8105 (8) Å, respectively. This pattern forms a center of inversion through the mol­ecule with an equal and opposite effect occurring at the other HgII atom. The S—Hg—S angles vary widely from 76.26 (2) to 154.65 (3)°, indicative of a distorted tetra­hedral arrangement of the S atoms around the HgII atom. The P—S bond lengths are 1.9681 (10) and 2.0519 (11)°, clearly indicating partial double-bond character in the former. The mol­ecule contains an inversion center situated between the two HgII atoms.