Molecular structures of thimerosal (Merthiolate) and other arylthiolate mercury alkyl compounds.

The molecular structure of sodium ethylmercury thiosalicylate (also known as thimerosal and Merthiolate) and related arylthiolate mercury alkyl compounds, namely PhSHgMe and PhSHgEt, have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that the appearance of the (199)Hg mercury satellites of the ethyl group of thimerosal is highly dependent on the magnetic field and the viscosity of the solvent as a consequence of relaxation due to chemical shift anisotropy.