Chelate Complexes with Methylmercury and Phenylmercury Cations

The complex formation of Hg²⁺, CH₃Hg⁺ and C₆H₅Hg⁺ with eight substituted quinolines, α,α′-bipyridyl and 1, 10-phenanthroline has been investigated in water and 75(v)% dioxane by pH and pHg methods. Hg²⁺ forms mercurated products with 8-hydroxyquinolines, if the 5- or 7-positions are unsubstituted. The formation of chelates by CH₃Hg⁺ and C₆H₅Hg⁺ is postulated.