Neutral and cationic cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene mercury [cAAC-Hg(ii)] complexes: scope of hydroamination of alkynes with organomercury compounds.

This study demonstrates the first synthesis of cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (cAAC) adducts of Hg(ii), [cAACMe·HgBr(μ-Br)]2 (1a) and [cAACcy·HgBr(μ-Br)]2 (1b). Adduct 1b catalyzes intermolecular hydroamination of aromatic alkynes and amines under mild conditions to afford aromatic imines. The quest to prepare an electrophilic Hg(ii) complex resulted in the synthesis of cationic [(cAACcy)2Hg(H2O)]2+2[NO3]- (3) by reacting 1b with AgNO3.