The Reactions of Sodium Diethyldithiocarbamate and Tetraethylthiuram Disulfide with Mercury(II) Chloride

Abstract
Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (1) and tetraethylthiuram disulfide (2) have been found to react with excess mercury(II) chloride (HgCl2) in water to give complexes with the general formula Et2NCS2HgS2CNEt2·(HgCl2)m−1, where the m value can be as high as five. The complex with m=2 was isolated and characterized. The reaction pathway was discussed in some detail. Also studied were the reactions of 2 with HgCl2 in organic solvents.