THE REACTION OF ALKYL IODIDES WITH IODO-ARSINES IN THE PRESENCE OF MERCURY

Abstract

The reaction of alkyl iodides with iodo-arsines in the presence of mercury generally gives arsonium derivatives of triiodomercury (II). Thus tetramethylarsonium triiodomercury (II) is obtained from the reactions of methyl iodide with the compounds (CH₃)_3−nAsI_n (n = 1,2,3). Phenyl-iodo-arsines give the new compounds C₆H₅AsR₃HgI₃ and (C₆H₅)₂AsR₂HgI₃ (R = CH₃ or C₂H₅) from similar reactions. However, the reaction of iododimethylarsine with ethyl iodide gives the 1:1 arsine complex (CH₃)₂AsC₂H₅.HgI₂. The compounds (C₂H₅)₄AsI and (C₂H₅)₄ AsHgI₃ were reinvestigated, and used to prepare the compound ((C₂H₅)₄As)₂HgI₄.