Photoreactivity of mercarbides C(HgX)4 with X=chloride and acetate

Abstract

The mercarbides C(HgX)(4) with X- = Cl- and acetate(-) which are characterized by a tetrahedral (C4-Hg42+)(4+) core fragment show two absorptions in the UV spectral region at lambda(max) = 234 nm and 270 nm. They are attributed to (C4--> Hg2+) LMCT transitions. LMCT excitation of C(HgX)(4) in solution leads to a photoredox decomposition according to: C(HgX)(4) + 2 H2O -> CO2 + 4 Hg-0 + 4 HX. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.