Bis(μ-N,N′-di-3-pyridylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide)bis[dichloridomercury(II)] N,N-dimethylformamide disolvate

The asymmetric unit of the binuclear title complex, [Hg2Cl4(C17H13N5O2)(2)]center dot 2C(3)H(7)NO, contains one-half of the centro-symmetric molecule and one dimethylformamide solvent molecule. The Hg-II atom is four-coordinated by two N atoms from two ligands and two Cl atoms in a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. Intramolecular N-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds may be effective in the stabilization of the structure. In the crystal structure, pi-pi contacts between pyridine rings [centroid-to-centroid distances 3.629 (3) and 3.595 (3) angstrom] may further stabilize the structure.