Electrical conductivity and molecular properties of organodithioheterobimetallics [PhHg]2[M(dithio)2] {M=Ni, Cu or Zn; dithio=isomaleonitriledithiolate (i-MNT2−) 1,1-dicarboethoxy-2,2-ethylenedithiolate (DED2−) or trithiocarbonate (CS32−)}

Organoheterobimetallic compounds of the type, [PhHg]2[M(dithio)2] {M=Ni(II), Cu(II) or Zn(II); dithio=isomaleonitriledithiolate (i-MNT2−), 1,1-dicarboethoxy-2,2-ethylenedithiolate (DED2−) or trithiocarbonate (CS32−)} have been synthesized and investigated by molecular spectroscopies and conductivity techniques. Magnetic behaviour, together with electronic spectra, are compatible with square planar coordination geometry around nickel(II) in [PhHg]2[Ni(dithio)2]. Magnetic moments, 1.6 BM and 1.25 BM for [PhHg]2[Cu(i-MNT)2] and [PhHg]2[Cu(DED)2] showed involvement of some sort of Cu–Cu interaction. Their electronic and EPR spectra show distorted square planar geometry with tetragonal/rhombic symmetry around copper(II). Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the complexes have been compared. All the complexes show σrt in 2.29×10−10−4.38×10−4 S cm−1 range. [PhHg]2[Ni(DED)2] and [PhHg]2[Cu(i-MNT)2] show semiconducting behaviour as their conductivity increases with increase in temperature with band gaps 0.39 eV; 0.57 eV and 2.38 eV, respectively.