Germicidal Mercury Derivatives of Pyridine

Aromatic Mercuration

“…The oxygenor sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds are generally mercurated in the cold with an aqueous alcoholic mercuric chloride-sodium acetate solution; the nitrogen-containing compounds are mercurated with mercuric acetate alone at elevated temperatures. With pyridine aqueous mercuric acetate solution has proved effective (98).…”

“…R2Hg + 2MgX2 Yields by the Grignard method based on the aryl halide vary widely, owing in some cases to the difficulty of preparing the Grignard reagent in satisfactory yield. It has been reported that the reaction of p-tolyl magnesium bromide (77) and, recently, phenyl magnesium bromide (98) with mercuric chloride give the corresponding aryl mercuric bromides instead of the chlorides. Both of the above reactions have been independently observed; further, 2and -3-cymyl magnesium bromide react in the same manner (80).…”

“…It has been reported that the latter type of compound is relatively nontoxic to animals, whether given orally, intraperitoneally, or subcutaneously (112). Like the aromatic compounds, 3-pyridyl mercuric chloride is of very low toxicity (98). Certain mercurials, such as Merphenyl and Merthiolate, have been taken orally by man in large doses without any harmful effects.…”