Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
17:14
Compact Quantum Dots for Single-molecule Imaging
Published on: October 9, 2012
(5,5'-Dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-κN,N')diiodidomercury(II)
Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online
|January 5, 2011
Summary
This study details the crystal structure of a mercury(II) compound with 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine. The mercury atom exhibits a distorted tetrahedral coordination, with adjacent molecules forming π-π contacts.
Area of Science:
- Coordination chemistry
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Crystallography
Background:
- Mercury(II) complexes with bipyridine ligands are of interest due to their diverse coordination geometries and potential applications.
- Understanding intermolecular interactions, such as π-π stacking, is crucial for predicting and controlling crystal packing and material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the crystal structure of the mercury(II) iodide complex with 5,5 -dimethyl-2,2 -bipyridine.
- To investigate the coordination environment around the mercury(II) ion.
- To identify and analyze intermolecular interactions within the crystal lattice.
Main Methods:
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the molecular and crystal structure.
- The coordination geometry and bond distances/angles were analyzed.
- Intermolecular contacts, specifically π-π interactions, were identified and quantified.
Main Results:
- The title compound, [HgI(2)(C(12)H(12)N(2))], features a mercury(II) ion with a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry.
- The mercury(II) center is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms from the 5,5 -dimethyl-2,2 -bipyridine ligand and two iodide ions.
- A significant π-π contact was observed between the pyridine rings of adjacent molecules, with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.723(5) Å.
Conclusions:
- The crystal structure reveals a unique distorted tetrahedral coordination for mercury(II) in this complex.
- The identified π-π interactions play a role in the supramolecular assembly of the crystal structure.
- This structural information contributes to the understanding of mercury coordination chemistry and crystal engineering.
![[(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F59739.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Related Concept Videos
02:36Oxymercuration-Reduction of Alkenes
Oxymercuration–reduction of alkenes is one of the major reactions converting alkenes to alcohols. It involves the hydration of alkenes with mercuric acetate in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water, forming an organomercury adduct. This is followed by a demercuration step in which the adduct is reduced to an alcohol using sodium borohydride.
02:57Coordination Number and Geometry
For transition metal complexes, the coordination number determines the geometry around the central metal ion. Table 1 compares coordination numbers to molecular geometry. The most common structures of the complexes in coordination compounds are octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar.
03:35Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II
sp3d and sp3d 2 Hybridization
03:02Colors and Magnetism
Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
02:34Structural Isomerism
Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
01:13Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene
Bromination and chlorination of aromatic rings by electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions are easily achieved, but fluorination and iodination are difficult to achieve. Fluorine is so reactive that its reaction with benzene is difficult to control, resulting in poor yields of monofluoroaromatic products. To address this, Selectfluor reagent is used as a fluorine source in which a fluorine atom is bonded to a positively charged nitrogen.