A solvated zinc analogue of the calomel-dication.

The synthesis and characterisation of the solvent-stabilized salt [Zn2(THF)6](2+)[BAr4(F)]2(-) (1) is presented, which features the dizinc dication [Zn2](2+) as an analogue of the calomel dication [Hg2](2+). The labile tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvate molecules of 1 can be readily substituted by other ligands. Reaction with the strong donor ligand PMe3 (Me = CH3) leads to the Zn(ii) complex [Zn(PMe3)4](2+)[BAr4(F)]2(-) by disproportionation, while the π-acceptor-ligand phenylisocyanide (PhNC) gives the substitution product [Zn2(PhNC)6](2+)[BAr4(F)]2(-) (2) with an intact Zn-Zn bond.