Taking Advantage of Hg−C Bonds: Synthesis of the First Homoleptic Bis-β-diketiminate Complex Bound through the γ-Carbons

The most common β-diketiminate ligand, [{N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)C(Me)}2CH]− (BDI), was used to synthesize a new mercury complex in which two BDI ligands are bound to the metal through the γ-carbons in the solid state. In solution, one of the BDI ligands switches to an N,N′-binding mode; this complex is in equilibrium with the homoleptic species. The thermodynamic parameters, ΔH° (−2.52 kcal mol−1), ΔS° (−9.24 cal mol−1 K−1), and ΔG°298 (0.23 kcal mol−1), were measured using variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy.