A novel polymeric Hg[(CN)2N2] central core four-coordinate complex: Synthesis, X-ray structure and 199Hg, 13C and 15N CP MAS NMR characterization of catena((μ2-1,4-diaminobutane-N,N′)dicyanomercury(II))

Mercury(II) cyanide reacts with 1,4-diaminobutane (bn) at a 1:1 ratio forming a polymeric complex [(bn)Hg(CN)2]∞ in which (bn) acts as a bridge between the Lewis acid Hg(CN)2 moieties. The metal complex coordination sphere Hg[(CN)2N2] is best described as distorted trigonal pyramidal. The 13C and 15N CP MAS NMR data show two chemically different CN groups consistent with the hydrogen bonding scheme involving only one of the cyano ligands.