Coamplexation of mercury(II) compounds by crown ethers in organic media

Complexes between crown ethers having ring sizes of 15–24 atoms and 5 to 8 oxygens with HgX₂ species (X = Cl, I, CN, SCN) have been prepared and studied. Interactions of the substituents X bound to mercury with groups or fragments in the crown compound are essential in determining the characteristics and stability of the complexes formed. Complexes with crowns of 18C6 ring sizes are the most favourable except for HgX₂ compounds for which the size of X is larger than the macrocycle ring, as is the case for X = CF₃.