Lewis acidity of platinum(II)-based Baeyer-Villiger catalysts: An electrochemical approach

The electrochemical behavior of the Pt(II)-based Baeyer-Villiger catalysts of the general formulae [Pt(μ-OH)(P^∩P)]₂(BF₄)₂ (P^∩P = dppe (1a), 2Fdppe (1 b), 4Fdppe (1c), dfppe (1d), dmpe (1e), depe (1f), dippe (1g), dtbpe (1h)) and [Pt(OH₂)₂(P^∩P)](OTf)₂ (P^∩P = dppe (2a), 2Fdppe (2b), 4Fdppe (2c), dfppe (2d)) is reported. They exhibit irreversible reduction processes whose potentials reflect the Lewis acidity of the metal centres, showing (for the aromatic diphosphine complexes) overall relations with the number of fluorine atoms, with J_Pt-P, with the ν(CN) coordination shift of a ligand isocyanide probe and with the catalytic activity. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out for [Pt(μ-OH)(4Fdppe)]₂(BF₄)₂ (1c) and [Pt(μ-OH) (dippe)]₂(BF₄)₂ (1g).     

Dicarbonyliridium(I) complexes of pyridine ester ligands and their reactivity towards various electrophiles

The reaction of dimeric precursor [Ir(CO)₂Cl]₂ with two molar equivalent of the pyridine-ester ligands (L) like methyl picolinate (a), ethyl picolinate (b), methyl nicotinate (c), ethyl nicotinate (d), methyl isonicotinate (e) and ethyl isonicotinate (f) affords the tetra coordinated neutral complexes of the type [Ir(CO)₂ClL] (1a-f). The single crystal X-ray structure of 1d reveals that the Ir atom occupies the centre of an approximately square planar geometry with two CO groups cis- to each other. Intermolecular C-H?O and Ir?C interactions greatly stabilize the supramolecular structure of 1d in the solid state. The oxidative addition (OA) reactions of 1a-f with different electrophiles such as CH₃I, C₂H₅I and I₂ undergo decarbonylation of one CO group to generate the oxidized products of the type [Ir(CO)RClIL] where R = -CH₃ (2a-f); -C₂H₅ (3a-f) and [Ir(CO)ClI₂L] (4a-f). Kinetic study of the reaction of 1c-f with CH₃I indicates a first order reaction which follow the order 1d > 1c > 1f > 1e. All the synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.     

Bimetallic complexes of porphyrinphenanthroline: Preparation and catalytic activities

Condensation of tetraphenylporphyrin-2,3-dione with 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-diamine provided porphyrinphenanthroline (2) as the desired ligand. Metallation of the porphyrinic site of 2 with CoCl₂, NiCl₂, ZnCl₂ and CuCl₂ afforded the corresponding metal complexes [Co(2)] (8a), [Ni(2)] (8b), [Zn(2)] (8c) and [Cu(2)] (8d), respectively. Subsequent reactions of these metalloporphyrins with [(COD)PdCl₂] yielded the corresponding bimetallic complexes [Co/Pd (9a), Ni/Pd (9b), Zn/Pd (9c) and Cu/Pd (9d)] in high yields. The bimetallic complex 9e (Mg/Pd) was prepared directly by complexation of 2 with MgBr₂ and [(COD)PdCl₂]. All complexes were characterized by both spectroscopic and elemental analyses. In addition, crystal structure of 9c was determined to confirm its formulation. The use of these bimetallic complexes as pre-catalysts for Mizoroki-Heck coupling reaction has been examined.     

Dicopper(II) and dinickel(II) complexes of Schiff-base macrocycles derived from 5,5-dimethyl-1,9-diformyldipyrromethane

The synthesis and characterisation of two dicopper(II) and two dinickel(II) macrocyclic complexes, [Cu^II₂L^Pr] (10), [Cu^II₂L^Bu] (11), [Ni^II₂L^Pr] (12) and [Ni^II₂L^Bu] (13), are reported. The two new Schiff-base macrocycles (L^Pr)⁴⁻ and (L^Bu)⁴⁻ are isolated as dimetallic complexes 10-13 by the [2+2] condensation of 5,5-dimethyl-1,9-diformyldipyrromethane (9) and 1,3-diaminopropane or 1,4-diaminobutane, respectively, using Cu²⁺ or Ni²⁺ template ions. Single crystal X-ray structure determinations carried out on 10-13 show that each metal atom is in a square planar N₄ geometry, being bound to two deprotonated pyrrole nitrogen atoms of one dipyrromethane unit and to the two adjacent imine nitrogen atoms. NMR spectra obtained for the two dinickel(II) complexes 12 and 13 show that in CDCl₃ solution they are highly symmetrical and diamagnetic.     

Solid-gas carbonylation of aryloxide rhodium(I) complexes: stepwise reaction forming Vaska-type complexes

Aryloxide rhodium(I) complexes Rh(OAr)(PPh₃)₃ (1a: Ar=C₆Cl₅, 1b: Ar=C₆F₅, 1c: Ar=C₆H₄-NO₂-4) react with CO in toluene solutions to produce Vaska-type complexes trans-Rh(OAr)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2a: Ar=C₆Cl₅, 2b: Ar=C₆F₅, 2c: Ar=C₆H₄-NO₂-4). Carbonylation of a similar complex with PMe₃ ligands, Rh(OC₆H₄-NO₂-4)(PMe₃)₃ (3c), also forms trans-Rh(OC₆H₄-NO₂-4)(CO)(PMe₃)₂ (4c). Molecular structures of the complexes are determined by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Complex 1a reacts with CO in the absence of solvent to produce a mixture of 2a and complex A, the latter of which shows the IR and ¹³C{¹H} signals due to the carbonyl ligand at different positions from those of 2a. Addition of Et₂O to the above mixture turns it into analytically pure 2a. Carbonylation of 1b and 1c under the solvent-free conditions produces complexes B and C as the respective products of the solid-gas reaction. Recrystallization of B and C turns them into 2b and 2c, respectively. Complex 3c also reacts with CO in the solid state to form a mixture of 4c and complex D, although the latter complex is converted slowly into 4c even in the solid state.     

Synthesis and characterization of monomer and dimer complexes of porphyrin iron(III) with bridging phenylcyanamide ligands

Several new mono and dinuclear complexes of [(P)Fe^III(L)], in which P is the dianion of tetraphenylporphyrin(TPP) and tetramesitylporphyrin(TMP) and L is the monoanion of 4-azo(phenylcyanamido)benzene (apc) (1) and (2) or dianion 1,4-di cyanamidobenzene (dicyd) (3), (4), (7), (8) and 4,4′-azo-diphenylcyanamide (adpc) (5), (6), (9), (10) have been prepared by the reaction of [(P)Fe^IIICl] with appropriate thallium salts of phenylcyanamide derivatives. Each of the complexes has been characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR, MALDI-TOF and EPR spectroscopic data. In non-coordinating solvents (such as toluene or chloroform) these complexes exhibit ¹H NMR spectra that are characteristic of high-spin (S = 5/2) species. The cyanamide group (NCN) of the bridging ligand is coordinated to Fe(III) ions through the nitrile-nitrogen. The iron(III) phenylcyanamide complexes are not reactive toward dioxygen, they convert into [TPPFe^IIICl] when treated with HCl. EPR and NMR have shown that in dinuclear complexes weak magnetic interactions take place between two iron(III) paramagnetic centers.     

Structure-dependent spectroscopic and redox properties of copper(I) complexes with bidentate iminopyridine ligands

A series of iminopyridine ligands; cyclopropylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine (A), cyclopentylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine (B), cyclohexylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine (C), and cycloheptylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine, (D) and their copper(I) complexes, [Cu(L)₂]⁺ (1a-1d) and [Cu(L)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ (2a-2d) have been synthesized and characterized by CHN analyses, ¹H NMR and IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Structures of 1a, 1b, 1c and 2a were determined by X-ray crystallography. The coordination polyhedron about the Cu^I center in the complexes is best described as a distorted tetrahedron. The dihedral angles between the least-squares planes of the chelate ligands show considerable variation from 86.1° in 1a to 68.3° in 1b, indicating the importance of packing forces in the crystalline environment. The UV-Vis spectra of the complexes are characterized by first metal to ligand charge transfer bands increasing in wavelength with increasing size of the ring substituents in the ligands, except for the cyclopropyl compounds (1a and 2a), in good agreement with the variation of the dihedral angles between the ligand planes. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes indicates a quasireversible redox behavior for the complexes. The bulkier ligands (PPh₃) inhibit the geometric distortion within the oxidized form and the redox potentials of complexes 2a-2d are shifted to more positive values, therefore.     

Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of new substituted bis(1,3,4-oxadiazoles), 3,5-bis(substituted) pyrazoles and isoxazoles

Two series of five membered heterocyclic bis(1,3,4-oxadiazole) derivatives 2(a-h) and 3,5-bis(substituted)pyrazoles, isoxazoles 3(a,b,d-i), 4(a-c) were synthesized via oxidative cyclization of some diaroylhydrazones using chloramine-T and cyclocondensation reaction with hydrazine hydrate and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, respectively. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for antioxidant and anti-microbial activities. Compounds 2(b), 3(b), and 4(a) showed higher antioxidant activity at 10 μg/ml while compounds 2(a), 3(a), 3(f), and 4(a) exhibited better anti-microbial activity at 100 μg/ml compared with standard vitamin C and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Structures of newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis and spectral IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR data.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl tungsten selenocarboxylate and selenosulfonate complexes

Cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl tungsten selenocarboxylate complexes CpW(CO)₃SeCOR (1) (R = C₆H₅ (a), 3,5-C₆H₃(NO₂)₂ (b), 3-C₆H₄NO₂ (c), 4-C₆H₄NO₂ (d), CH₃ (e)) and cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl tungsten selenosulfonate complexes CpW(CO)₃SeSO₂R (2) (R = C₆H₅ (a), 4-C₆H₄CH₃ (b), 4-C₆H₄OCH₃ (c), 4-C₆H₄Cl (d), CH₃ (e)) have been prepared from the tungsten anion [CpW(CO)₃Se]⁻ and acid- or sulfonyl chlorides respectively. The new complexes (1 and 2) have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopies as well as elemental analysis. The crystal structure of CpW(CO)₃SeCO-3-C₆H₄NO₂ (1c) was determined.     

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of dicopper(II) and dinickel(II) complexes with a new bis(macrocycle), 7,7-(2-hydoxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis{3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]- heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene}

A new bis(macrocycle) ligand, 7,7^′-(2-hydoxypropane-1,3-diyl)-bis{3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene} (HL), and its dicopper(II) ([Cu₂(HL)Cl₂](NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O (4a), [Cu₂(HL)I₂]I₂ · H₂O (4b)) and dinickel(II) ([Ni₂(L)(OH₂)](ClO₄)₃ (5a), [Ni₂(L)(OH₂)]I₃ · 2H₂O (5b), [Ni₂(L)N₃](N₃)₂ · 7H₂O (5c)) complexes have been synthesized. The alkoxide bridged face-to-face structure of the dinickel(II) complex 5c has been revealed by X-ray crystallography, as well as the “half-opened clamshell” form of the bis(macrocyclic) dicopper(II) complex 4b. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies have indicated that there exists intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling (J=−33.8 cm⁻¹ (5a), −32.5 cm⁻¹ (5b), and −29.7 cm⁻¹ (5c)) between the two nickel(II) ions in the nickel(II) complexes.     

Mixed-ligand tris chelated complexes of Mo(IV) and W(IV): A comparative study

Two hitherto unknown mixed-ligand tris chelated complexes containing 2-aminothiophenolate, [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(NH-(C₆H₄)-S)(mnt)₂] (M = Mo, 1a; W, 2a) and two mixed-ligand tris chelate complex containing N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(Et₂NS₂)(mnt)₂] (M = Mo, 1b; W, 2b) have been synthesized and characterized structurally. Although these complexes are supposed to be quite similar to the well-known symmetric tris chelate complexes of maleonitriledithiolate (mnt), [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(mnt)₃] (M = Mo, 1c; W, 2c), but display both trigonal prismatic and distorted trigonal prismatic geometry in their crystal structure indicating the possibility of an equilibrium between these two structural possibilities in solution. Unlike extreme stability of 1b, 2b, 1c and 2c, both 1a and 2a are highly unstable in solution. In contrast to one reversible reduction in case of 1b and 2b, 1a and 2a exhibited no possible reduction up to −1.2 V and two sequential oxidation steps which have been further investigated with EPR study. Differences in stability and electrochemical behavior of 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b have been correlated with theoretical calculations at DFT level in comparison with long known 1c and 2c.     

Synthesis, characterization and structural diversity of lanthanide chlorides supported by the β-diketiminate ligand [{(2,6-Me2C6H3)NC(Me)}2CH]

Reactions of the β-diketiminate lithium salt L²Li [L²={(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)}₂CH] with anhydrous LnCl₃ (Ln=Yb, Sm, Nd) in 1:1 molar ratio in THF afforded the new β-diketiminate lanthanide complexes L²LnCl(THF)(μ-Cl)₂Li(THF)₂ (Ln=Yb (1), Sm (2), Nd (3)). Recrystallization of complexes 1-3 from toluene gave the neutral complexes L²LnCl₂(THF)₂ (Ln=Yb (4), Sm (5), Nd (6)). Recrystallization of complexes 4 and 5 in hot toluene for two times gave the dinuclear complexes L²ClLn(μ-Cl)₃LnL²(THF) (Ln=Yb (7), Sm (8)). Treatment of the mother liquor of complex 2 in hot toluene for three times gave the novel trinuclear complex L²SmCl(μ-Cl)₃SmL²(μ-Cl)Li(L²H)(THF) (9). Each of these complexes was well characterized, while complexes 3, 7 and 9 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction structure determination.     

The replacement of chlorides by cytosines in copper(II) complexes containing guanidine derivatives

Two copper(II) chloride complexes of amidino-O-methylurea (L¹), [Cu(L¹)Cl₂] (1), and (N-benzyl)-amidino-O-methylurea (L²), [Cu(L²)Cl₂] (2), were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, diffuse reflectance, electron spin resonance and electrospray ionization mass spectra. Their cytosine binding abilities has been studied and found that two cytosine molecules are able to coordinate with the copper centers by replacing the chloride ligands to yield the bifunctional binding adducts [Cu(L¹)(cyt)₂]Cl₂ (1c) and [Cu(L²)(cyt)₂]Cl₂ (2c), respectively. The shift of the CO band of cytosine in both cytosine-bound products to higher energy suggested that the N(3)-cytosine atom coordinates to the copper center. The large blue shifts of the d-d absorbance maxima and the nine superhyperfine splitting from the CuN₄ chromophore were also observed in their electronic and EPR spectra. Their thermal decompositions have also supported the interaction of cytosine with complexes 1 and 2. Density functional calculations have also been performed and revealed that square planar coordination geometry is more stable for both 1c and 2c. The binding energy of 1c is found to be ∼20% lower than that of 2c, indicative of the higher binding potential of 1c.     

Synthesis and reactivity of osmium (VI) nitrido complexes containing pyridine-carboxylato ligands

A series of osmium(VI) nitrido complexes containing pyridine-carboxylato ligands Os^VI(N)(L)₂X (L = pyridine-2carboxylate (1), 2-quinaldinate (2) and X = Cl (a), Br (1b and 2c) or CH₃O (2b)) and [Os^VI(N)(L)X₃]⁻ (L = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (3) and X = Cl (a) or Br (b)) have been synthesised. Complexes 1 and 2 are electrophilic and react readily with various nucleophiles such as phosphine, sulfide and azide. Reaction of Os^VI(N)(L)₂X (1 and 2) with triphenylphosphine produces the osmium(IV) phosphiniminato complexes Os^VI(NPPh₃)(L)₂X (4 and 5). The kinetics of nitrogen atom transfer from the complexes Os^VI(N)(L)₂Br (2c) (L = 2-quinaldinate) with triphenylphosphine have been studied in CH₃CN at 25.0 °C by stopped-flow spectrophotometric method. The following rate law is obtained: −d[Os(VI)]/dt = k₂[Os(VI)][PPh₃]. Os^VI(N)(L)₂Cl (L = 2-quinaldinate) (2a) reacts also with [PPN](N₃) to give an osmium(III) dichloro complex, trans-[PPN][Os^III(L)₂Cl₂] (6). Reaction of Os^VI(N)(L)₂Cl (L = 2-quinaldinate) (2a) with lithium sulfide produces an osmium(II) thionitrosyl complex Os^II(NS)(L)₂Cl (7). These complexes have been structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of a series of first-row tris-imidazolylphosphine sandwich complexes and their potential for formation of polymetallic species

A series of tris-[2-(1-methylimidazolyl)phosphine] sandwich complexes with Co²⁺ (1), Ni²⁺ (2), Cu²⁺ (3) and Zn²⁺ (4) have been synthesized and characterized with the intent of using these complexes as templates for building polymetallic species. X-ray analysis reveals that each metal is six-coordinate with octahedral geometry. Compound 3 exhibits a tetragonal distortion resulting from a Jahn-Teller distortion of a Cu²⁺ (d⁹) complex. Electrochemistry of 1-4 displayed peaks assigned to both ligand-based oxidation at 1.45-1.56 V and a perchlorate-based reduction at −2.36 to −2.78 V versus FcH⁺/FcH. Metal-based reduction was also observed for 2, with a reversible Ni^2+/3+ oxidation at 0.89 V, consistent with the relatively poor donor ability of the imidazolyl nitrogen bases; and 3, with a irreversible Cu^2+/1+ reduction at −1.29 V versus FcH⁺/FcH, consistent with the decomposition of the complex upon reduction. X-ray structures indicate large steric crowding around the phosphorus atom resulting from the orientation of the methyl substituent on the imidazoles. This crowding may prohibit the formation of polymetallic species through phosphorus-metal bonding.     

Synthesis, characterization and copper chemistry of a non-symmetric phenanthroline ligand: 2-Methyl-9-(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazolylmethyl)-1,10-phenanthroline

The synthesis of an unsymmetrical phenanthroline-based ligand, 2-methyl-9-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylmethyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L), and its cupric [Cu(II)] (1) and cuprous [Cu(I)] (2) complexes, are reported. The X-ray structures of each of these Cu complexes show distinct changes in coordination environments consistent with the geometrical preferences of the two oxidation states. In the solid-state, the Cu(II) complex (1) adopts a geometry best described as trigonal bipyramidal, while the Cu(I) complex (2) consists of a single dicationic dimer in which the ligand bridges between two copper ions, separated by 4.26 Å. The two Cu(I) coordination sites differ in 2 with one copper center complexed in a trigonal planar geometry and the other copper in a distorted tetrahedral environment; the latter coordination results from an additional CH₃CN ligand. Complex 1 exhibits a reversible redox process at −0.34 V versus Fc/Fc⁺ in CH₃CN, attributable to the Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ couple, while the dimeric Cu(I) complex (2) does not display this redox couple on the CV timescale. Over minutes however, complex 1 does oxidize in the presence of dioxygen to 2 in CH₃CN.     

Synthesis of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes containing 5-membered N-heterocyclic thiolates

Mononuclear ruthenium-thiolate complexes of structural type CpRu(PPh₃)₂SR (1) [R = 2-imidazolyl (a), 1-methylimidazolyl (b), 5-methyl-1,3,5-thiadiazolyl (c) and 5-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazolyl (d)] are accessible from the reaction of CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl with the corresponding thiolate anions. Reaction of CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl with the heterocyclic-thiolate anions in the presence of the bisphosphine ligands affords CpRu(P-P)SR [P-P = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane; dppm (2), bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane; dppe (3)]. If CO gas was bubbled through a THF solution of 1b, the complex CpRu(PPh₃)(CO)S(C₄N₂H₅) (4b) is produced. These ruthenium-heterocyclic thiolate complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy (IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR and MS) and cyclic voltammetry for some samples. The solid-state structures of 3a and 3b are determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Crystal structure of six and seven coordinate manganese(II) complexes with penta and hexadentate pyridylmethyl ligands

Two six-coordinated manganese(II) complexes [Mn(pydien)Cl](ClO₄) · C₂H₅OH (1), [Mn(pydien)NCS](ClO₄) (2) and two seven-coordinated manganese(II) complexes [Mn(pydado)Cl](ClO₄) (3), [Mn(pydado)NCS](ClO₄) (4) have been obtained using linear penta and hexadentate ligands pydien and pydado (pydien: 1,7-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,7-triazaheptane and pydado: 1,10-bis(pyridylmethyl)-1,10-diaza-4,7-dioxadecane). The crystal structures for all compounds have been determined. 1 and 3 crystallize in the triclinic space group , 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, whereas 4 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. The bound anion (chloro or isothiocyanato) in complexes 1 and 2 has no influence on the geometry of six-coordinate manganese(II) complexes, whereas the geometry and the wrapping of the hexadentate ligand (pydado) around Mn²⁺ cation depend on the nature of the bound anion. The complex 3 has a capped octahedron geometry with the two pyridyl groups in trans position, while the geometry of complex 4 can be described as pentagonal bipyramid with one pyridyl group and a thiocyanate anion in the axial positions.     

Effect of metal coordination and intra-molecular H-bond on the acidity of phenolic proton in a set of structurally characterized octahedral Ni(II) complexes of l-histidine derivative

Four different mononuclear octahedral Ni(II) complexes with protonated and deprotonated form of the same ligand have been synthesized by controlling reaction conditions and structurally characterized. The complexes are [Ni(HL^l-his)(benzoate)(MeOH)] (1), [Ni(HL^l-his)(SCN)(MeOH)] (2), [Ni(HL^l-his)₂] (3) and [Ni(L^l-his)(imidazole)₂] (4) where H₂L^l-his is (S)-2-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-propionic acid. The ligand behaves as a monobasic tetradentate ligand in 1 and 2, monobasic tridentate ligand in 3 and dibasic tetradentate ligand in 4. Ni(II) coordinated phenolic proton of the ligand in the complexes 1-2 shows strong intra-molecular H-bonding with benzoate in 1 and lattice water in 2, whereas 3 shows intermolecular H-bonding between uncoordinated phenols with neighbouring carboxylate. The pH titration of the complexes revealed that metal coordination and H-bond in complexes 1 and 2 considerably lowers the acidity of ligand phenol (pK_a 6.8 and 7.0 respectively) compared to phenol (pK_a 10). The complex 4 does not show any proton loss due to the absence of phenolic proton. All the complexes show extensive H-bonded network in the crystals including narrow (7.8 × 5.2 Å) water filled one dimensional channel in 2.     

Mercury complexes with the ligand benzaldehyde-N(4),N(4)-dimethylthiosemicarbazone

The Schiff base benzaldehyde-N(4),N(4)-dimethylthiosemicarbazone (LH) and its complexes [Hg(NO₃)(LH)₂]NO₃ (1), [Hg(L)₂] (2), [Hg(LH)₂(μ-X)₂HgX₂] [X = Cl (3), Br (4)], [HgI(LH)(μ-I)₂HgI(LH)] (5) and [HgI₂(LH)] (6) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, mass spectrometry, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All the complexes were obtained in ethanol and complex 2, in which the ligand is deprotonated, in addition needs the presence of basic medium. From mercury(II) iodide two complexes with the same molar ratio but with different structures were isolated. In all the complexes the ligand acts as a NS chelate, except in complex 5 in which is only S-donor. The coordination number of the mercury ion and the structures of the complexes depend on the counterion. Complexes 1, 2 and 6 are monomeric species but with different coordination spheres: N₂S₂O₂ with a distorted octahedral arrangement in complex 1, and N₂S₂ or NSI₂ in a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry in complexes 2 and 6, respectively. However, 3, 4 and 5 are binuclear complexes with two halido bridges, but they show two different structures. In 3 and 4, each mercury ion has a different environment giving an asymmetric structure, one is bonded to two NS-ligands and two halido bridges in a distorted octahedral geometry, and the other one has a tetrahedral environment formed by four halido ligands. In complex 5 both mercury ions are equivalent with a SI₃ distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere, formed by one S-bonded ligand, one terminal iodido and two iodido bridges.