Bis(trimethylsilyl)mercury explained

Bis(trimethylsilyl)mercury is a chemical reagent with the formula (CH₃)₃-Si-Hg-Si-(CH₃)₃.

Synthesis

This compound was first synthesized by Wiberg et al. in 1963, by the reaction of trimethylsilyl bromide with sodium amalgam:^[1]

2 Na + Hg + TMSBr → TMS₂Hg + 2 NaBr

Reactions

On prolonged heating at 100-160 °C, or when stood under light as an ethereal solution, it decomposes to hexamethyldisilane:^[1]

TMS₂Hg → (CH₃)₃Si-Si(CH₃)₃ + Hg

Reaction with hydrogen chloride gives trimethylsilane and trimethylsilyl chloride:^[1]

TMS₂Hg + HCl → TMSH + TMSCl + Hg

References

1. 10.1002/anie.196305071 . Recent Developments in the Chemistry of Metal Silyls of the Type M(SiR3)n . 1963 . Wiberg, E. . . 2 . 507 . Stecher . O. . Andrascheck . H. J. . Kreuzbichler . L. . Staude . E. . 9.

Further reading

• 10.1107/S0108270199016339 . Apr 2000 . Pickett, Nl . Just, O . Vanderveer, Dg . Rees Ws, Jr . Reinvestigation of bis(trimethylsilyl)mercury . 56 . 4. 412–3 . 10815189 . Acta Crystallographica C.