Tetramethylammoniumamalgam, [N(CH3)4]Hg8

Abstract

Crystals of tetramethyl ammonium amalgam with the composition [N(CH 3)4]Hg8 were prepared by electrolysis. According to temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction experiments the compound transforms into an amorphous product above 6 °C; the decomposition is a multi-stage process as shown by DTA experiments. X-ray examinations of crystalline aggregates indicate a structure of low symmetry with remarkable similarities to that of α-Hg. © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.