Thermodynamics of metal-ligand bond formation. XXIII. Lewis acidity of mercury(II) thiocyanate

Abstract

Thermodynamic data are reported for the reaction of Lewis bases with mercury(11) thiocyanate in acetonitrile solution. Pyridine, 4-methylpyridine and tetrahydrothiophen form 1 : 1 adducts with adduct formation constants and enthalpies of formation comparable to those with mercury(11) iodide. 1,l0-Phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridine and N,N,N',N?-tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine form chelate 1 : 1 adducts, but with enthalpies of formation little larger than that with pyridine. The phosphines, PPh₃ and Pbu₃, form 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 adducts of much greater stability, though the enthalpies of formation of these adducts are also similar to that with pyridine; Hg(SCN)₂PBu₃ is dimeric in dilute solution.