Formation of Diphenylmercury from Phenylmercury(II) Amino-Acid Complexes

The preparation and characterization of phenylmercury(II) complexes of L-cysteine and DL-penicillamine are reported. Infrared and Raman spectra of the new complex ,mu-cysteinato-S,N-bis[phenylmercury(II)] monohydrate and of previously reported complexes of L-cysteine and DL-penicillamine are compared. The complexes decompose to form diphenylmercury when stirred as suspensions in benzene at ambient temperature.