Organomercury compounds. VIII. The preparation of pentafluorophenylmercury compounds by mercuration reactions

Abstract

Pentafluorophenylmercuric carboxylates, C₆F₅HgOCOR (R = CF₃, CHF₂, CH₂F, or CH₃), have been prepared by reaction of pentafluorobenzene with the appropriate mercuric carboxylate. The compounds are monomeric in toluene, and their infrared spectra suggest the presence of unidentate carboxylate groups. Mercuration of pentafluorobenzene with mercuric trifluoroacetate, followed by reaction of the crude product with sodium iodide in aqueous ethanol, gives a good yield of bispentafluorophenylmercury.