Bis(trimethylsilyl)mercury is a chemical reagent with the formula (CH₃)₃-Si-Hg-Si-(CH₃)₃.

Synthesis

This compound was first synthesized by Wiberg ''et al.'' in 1963, by the reaction of trimethylsilyl bromide with

sodium amalgam Sodium amalgam, with the common formula Na(Hg), is an alloy of mercury and sodium. The term amalgam is used for alloys, intermetallic compounds, and solutions (both solid solutions and liquid solutions) involving mercury as a major component. ...

: : 2 Na + Hg + TMSBr → TMS₂Hg + 2 NaBr

Reactions

On prolonged heating at 100-160 °C, or when stood under light as an ethereal solution, it decomposes to hexamethyldisilane: : TMS₂Hg → (CH₃)₃Si-Si(CH₃)₃ + Hg Reaction with

hydrogen chloride The Chemical compound, compound hydrogen chloride has the chemical formula and as such is a hydrogen halide. At room temperature, it is a colorless gas, which forms white fumes of hydrochloric acid upon contact with atmospheric water vapor. Hyd ...

gives

trimethylsilane Trimethylsilane is the organosilicon compound with the formula (CH3)3SiH. It is a trialkylsilane. The Si-H bond is reactive. Being a gas, it is less commonly used as a reagent than the related triethylsilane, which is a liquid at room temperatur ...

and

trimethylsilyl chloride Trimethylsilyl chloride, also known as chlorotrimethylsilane is an organosilicon compound ( silyl halide), with the formula , often abbreviated or TMSCl. It is a colourless volatile liquid that is stable in the absence of water. It is widely u ...

: : TMS₂Hg + HCl → TMSH + TMSCl + Hg

Synthesis

Reactions

References

Further reading