Salts of the Lewis-acidic dianion [Hg(closo-1-CB11F11)2]2-: coordination of acetonitrile and water

The coordination of acetonitrile and water to the Hg atom in Hg(closo-1-CB(11)F(11))(2)](2-) (1) reveals the Lewis acidity of the Hg(II) center, which is unprecedented, since 1 is a dianion. Both coordination compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In contrast, the Hg atom in PhHg(closo-1-CB(11)F(11))](-) (2) does not coordinate to CH(3)CN and H(2)O, although it has only a single negative charge.