Bis(trimethylsilyl)mercury
Encyclopedia
Bismercury a chemical reagent with formula: (CH3)3-Si-Hg-Si-(CH3)3.
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Reaction with hydrogen chloride
gives trimethylsilane and trimethylsilyl chloride
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Synthesis
This compound was first synthesized by Wiberg et al. in 1963, by the reaction of trimethylsilyl bromide with sodium amalgamSodium amalgam
Sodium amalgam, commonly denoted Na, is an alloy of mercury and sodium. The term amalgam is used for alloys, intermetallic compounds, and solutions involving mercury as a major component. Sodium amalgam is often used in reactions as strong reducing agents with better handling properties compared...
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- 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 hexamethyldisilaneHexamethyldisilane
Hexamethyldisilane is a dimer of the trimethylsilyl group, linked through a silicon-silicon bond.Hexamethyldisilane is cleaved by iodine to give trimethylsilyl iodide....
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- TMS2Hg → (CH3)3Si-Si(CH3)3 + Hg
Reaction with hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen chloride
The compound hydrogen chloride has the formula HCl. At room temperature, it is a colorless gas, which forms white fumes of hydrochloric acid upon contact with atmospheric humidity. Hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid are important in technology and industry...
gives trimethylsilane and trimethylsilyl chloride
Trimethylsilyl chloride
Trimethylsilyl chloride, also known as chlorotrimethylsilane is a silyl halide, with a variety of different uses in chemistry. It has the formula 3SiCl, and under standard conditions it is a colourless liquid, which is stable in the absence of water...
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- TMS2Hg + HCl → TMSH + TMSCl + Hg