Discrete and extended supersandwich structures based on weak interactions between phosphorus and mercury

Area of Science:

• Organometallic Chemistry
• Solid-State Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Mercury complexes are known for diverse structural motifs.
• Triple-decker complexes offer unique coordination environments.
• Understanding intermolecular interactions is key to designing novel materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the solid-state adduct formation between a trinuclear mercury complex and a triple-decker complex.
• To characterize the resulting polymeric and discrete supersandwich structures.
• To elucidate the role of intermolecular interactions in adduct assembly.

Main Methods:

• Solid-state reaction of [(o-C(6)F(4)Hg)(3)] and [(CpMo)(2)(μ-η(6):η(6)-P(6))].
• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis to determine the structures of the adducts.
• Analysis of intermolecular P···Hg interactions.

Main Results:

• Formation of "supersized" mercury adducts in the solid state.
• Observation of both polymeric and discrete supersandwich structural arrangements.
• Identification of significant P···Hg interactions driving the assembly.

Conclusions:

• The reaction between the trinuclear mercury complex and the triple-decker complex yields novel supramolecular architectures.
• Intermolecular P···Hg interactions are crucial for the formation of these "supersized" adducts.
• This study highlights the potential for designing complex solid-state structures through directed intermolecular forces.