Preparation of Methylmercury II Trifluoroacetate

To a solution of 11.2 g (51 mmol) of AgOCOCFj [Aldrich] in 100 mL of absolute ethanol in a 500 mL-flask is added 17.13 g (50 mmol) of MeHgl, and the suspension is stirred for 4 hr. Water (100 mL) is added, and the precipitated Agl is filtered and washed with water (50 mL). The combined filtrate and washings are concentrated to dryness in a rotary evaporator, taking care not to overheat the solution during concentration. The off-white crude product is transferred to a glass sublimator and slowly sublimed at 50°/0.15 torr to give 13.31 g (81%) of fine white crystals. 

Submitted by DAVID J. SIKORA, KEVIN J. MORIARTY, and MARVIN D. RAUSCH Checked by A. RAY BULLS,t JOHN E. BERCAW.t, VIKRAM D. PATEL,t and ARTHUR J. CARTYt 

Because of our interest in the structure and reactivity of M(CO)2(ti -C5H5)2 (M = Zr, we sought a more convenient method of preparation for these 

Dicarbonylbis(Ti -cyclopentadienyl)titanium is a maroon red air-sensitive solid that is soluble in both aliphatic and aromatic solvents. The H NMR spectrum (C6D6) exhibits a singlet at 8 4.62 ppm (external TMS). The IR spectrum shows two metal carbonyl stretching vibrations at 1977 and 1899 cm in hexane, or at 1965 and 1883 cm in THF. 

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