Preparation and Melting Point of Di-2-phenylethylmercury

Abstract

THE preparation of di-2-phenylethylmercury (I) has been reported by Criegee, Dimroth and Schempf¹, and Nerdel and Makower². Criegee et al.¹ prepared (I) by the reaction of 2-phenylethylmagnesium chloride (II) with mercuric chloride and obtained (I) as an oily product, the identity of which was confirmed by its reaction with mercuric chloride to form 2-phenylethylmercuric chloride (III) (85 per cent) and with mercuric acetate to form 2-phenylethylmercuric acetate (35 per cent). The melting-point of (I) was not recorded. Nerdel and Makower², using a similar method (reaction of 2-phenylethylmagnesium bromide (IV) with mercuric chloride), obtained a sample of (I) which crystallized at −40°.