Thesis (DTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The high rate of industrialisation in most developing countries has brought about challenges of wastewater management especially in the mineral processing industry. Cyanide has been used in base metal extraction processes due to its lixiviant properties thus, its presence in wastewater generated is inevitable. Furthermore, partial and/or the use of unsuitable treatment methods for such wastewater is a potential hazard to both human and the environment. There are several reports on biotechnological treatments of cyanide containing wastewater but few mineral processing industries have adopted this approach. Hence, the thermodynamic study of biodegradation of cyanide containing wastewater was undertaken. The primary aim of this study was to explore the application of bioenergetic models and biological stoichiometry to determine the functionality and thermodynamic requirements for cyanide degrading isolate (Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02), grown exclusively on Beta vulgaris, for a system designed for the bioremediation of cyanidation wastewater. Chapter 2 reviews some of the applicable thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy, entropy, heat of combustion, heat capacity, Gibbs energy, including stoichiometry models in relation to their applicability for microbial proliferation in cyanidation wastewater. The chapter places emphasis on the application of agro-industrial waste as a suitable replacement for refined carbon sources for microbial proliferation in bioremediation systems because such systems are environmentally benign. The choice of using agro-industrial waste is due to organic waste properties, i.e. agro-industrial waste is rich in nutrients and is generated in large quantities. Chapter 3 presents the materials and various standardised methods used to address the research gaps identified in chapter 2. For an organism to degrade free cyanide in wastewater, it must be able to survive and perform its primary function in the presence of such a toxicant. Chapter 4 exemplifies both molecular and biochemical characteristics of Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays contaminated with a cyanide based pesticide. The molecular analyses confirmed the fungal isolate to be Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 and the nucleotide sequence of the isolates were deposited with National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) with accession numbers KU985430 and KU985431. The biochemical analyses revealed a wide substrate utilisation mechanism of the isolate dominated by aminopeptidase including nitrate assimilation capabilities. A preliminary investigation showed free cyanide degradation efficiency of 77.6% (100 mg CN-/L) after 5 days by the isolate. The excess production of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) was attributed to the isolates’ strive to protect itself from cyanide toxicity.

Utilization of cyanide as a nutritional nitrogen source in P. fluorescens NCIMB 11764 was shown to involve a novel metabolic mechanism involving nonenzymatic neutralization outside of cells prior to further enzymatic oxidation within. Several cyanide degrading enzymes were produced by NCIMB 11764 in response to growth or exposure to cyanide, but only one of these cyanide, oxygenase (CNO), was shown to be physiologically required for assimilation of cyanide as a growth substrate.

Part I . Mechanistic intermediates were discovered in the Henry condensations of partially and non-protected pyranoses with a free anomeric hemiacetal function with nitromethane in various solvents for the syntheses of C-glycopyranosides in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU)/molecular sieves catalyst system. Part II . Syntheses of glycosyl cyanides were optimized with a new catalyst system. Mechanism of cyanation with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMS-CN) in the presence of the mild and recyclable Lewis acid HgBr 2 in nitromethane were proposed for the syntheses of 1,2-trans per- O -acetylated C-glycopyranosyl cyanides. Part III . Tri-O-acetyl-β-L-fucopyranosyl cyanide and Pd-H 2 , in presence of BOC-anhydride, gave N-BOC-mono- and -di-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-L-fucopyranosylmethyl)-amines, which allow for the syntheses of small cluster oligosaccharide mimetics of fucopyranosylomethyl-substituted ureas. From di-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-L-fucopyranosylmethyl) amine was also prepared a carbamoyl chloride as potentially useful synthon for preparation of more complex C-glycosidic conjugates.

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8-9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths with a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads showed hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate and pyruvate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, probably due to a greater fuel supply. Whole-body pyruvate levels in both species did not change from control levels until the last hour of cyanide exposure. / M.S.

The synthesis, characterisation and anion binding properties of a series of mono- and bifunctional Lewis acidic borylferrocene compounds are described within this thesis. The original parent compound FcBMes₂ (3.1), revealed a versatile route for the synthesis of such borylferrocenes and subsequently the analogous compound Fc*BMes₂ (3.2) was synthesised. The anion binding properties of (3.1) and (3.2) were investigated and both were shown to bind one equivalent of cyanide. The binding event was signalled by an electrochemical shift (ca. -560 mV) and a quenching of bands at 510 or 542 nm respectively in the UV/Vis spectrum, while the mode of anion binding in the solid state was established by X-ray crystallography for [ⁿBu₄N]⁺[(3.1)·CN]⁻. Incorporation of a suitable redox active dye (i.e. tetrazolium violet for 3.2) allowed conversion of the electrochemical response to a colorimetric change on cyanide binding. However, a competing response for fluoride is also seen for (3.1) and (3.2). Thus a two component system is reported involving (3.2) and the boronic ester FcB(OR)₂ (3.4), [where (OR)₂ = OCH(Ph)CH(Ph)O], which from previous research is known to selectively bind fluoride, and allows for selective colorimetric cyanide sensing by simple Boolean AND/NOT logic. 1,4-C₆H₄(BMes₂)[B(OR)₂] (3.5), 4,4-C₁₂H₈(BMes₂)[B(OR)₂] (3.6) and 1,1′-fc(BMes2)(B(OR)2) (3.7) were synthesised as possible single molecules for discrimination between cyanide and fluoride. (3.5) and (3.6) proved only capable of binding one equivalent of either anion, (3.7) showed some ability to bind two equivalents of fluoride however based on ESI-MS studies although only in the presence of a large excess of anion. Systematic variation of the para-boryl substituent was investigated by synthesis of compounds FcB(Xyl^F)₂ (4.1), FcB(Xyl)₂ (4.2) and FcB(Xyl^OMe)₂ (4.3). Anion binding studies reveal a linear increase in fluoride binding affinity consistent with that expected based on the para,/em>-Hammett parameters, however with only minor differences, while no pattern is observed with respect to their cyanide binding capabilities. The addition of neutral and cationic peripheral substituents has been investigated through synthesis of [1,2-fc(CH₂NMe₂)BMes₂] (4.6) and [1,2-fc(CH₂NMe₃)BMes₂]⁺ (4.7). Subsequent binding studies revealed (4.6) to be moisture sensitive, however reaction of (4.7) with fluoride and cyanide led to formation of the adducts [(4.7)·F]⁻ and [(4.7)·CN]⁻. The anion affinity of (4.7) exhibits a substantial increase when compared to the parent compound (3.1). Even when compared to the isomeric 1,1′ system an increase of approximately three orders of magnitude is seen attributed to the closer nature of the cationic charge and in the fluoride adduct the presence of a cooperative intramolecular hydrogen bond. The 1,1′-bifunctional analogues of the mono-substituted systems were synthesised [e.g. 1,2-fc(BMes₂)₂ (5.1)] and shown to complex two equivalents of fluoride or cyanide in acetonitrile. The 1:1 cyanide adduct of (5.1) was isolated in chloroform however, no evidence for chelation was observed. The analogous systems 1,2-fc(BMes₂)₂ (5.5), 1,2-fc(BXyl₂)2 (5.7), and 1,2-fc(BMes₂)(BXyl₂) (5.8) were also investigated. Reaction of (5.5) with fluoride and cyanide revealed it to bind only one equivalent of either anion, neither however was bound in a chelating fashion although X-ray crystallography revealed cyanide binds exo whilst fluoride binds endo to the B···B cavity. Finally the kinetics of fluoride binding were studied by UV/Vis spectroscopy and showed a systematic increase in rate constant upon reduction of steric bulk.

This thesis deals with method development in asymmetric catalysis and specifically syntheses of enantioenriched O-functionalized cyanohydrins. The first part describes the development of a method for the synthesis of O‑alkoxycarbonylated and O-acylated cyanohydrins. Ethyl cyanoformate and acyl cyanides were added to aldehydes in a reaction catalyzed by a chiral dimeric Ti-salen complex together with a tertiary amine. High yields and enantioselectivities were in most cases obtained. Mechanistic studies were performed and a reaction mechanism was proposed. ­ The second part describes a method in which the undesired minor enantiomer in a Lewis acid–Lewis base-catalyzed acylcyanation is continuously recycled into prochiral starting material. Close to enantiopure O‑acylated cyanohydrins were obtained in high yields. The third part deals with asymmetric acylcyanations of ketones. Acetyl cyanide was found to add to α‑ketoesters in a reaction catalyzed by a chiral Lewis base. Yields up to 77% and 82% ee were obtained. The final part describes an enzymatic method for high-throughput analysis of O‑acylated cyanohydrins. The enantiomeric excess and conversion were determined for products obtained from a number of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. / QC 20100818

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 316-323).

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2014 / Environmental legislation focusing on wastewater disposal in industries that utilise cyanide and/or cyanide-related compounds has become increasingly stringent worldwide, with many companies that utilise cyanide products required to abide by the Cyanide International Code associated with the approval of process certifications and management of industries which utilise cyanide. This code enforces the treatment or recycling of cyanide-contaminated wastewater. Industries such as those involved in mineral processing, photo finishing, metal plating, coal processing, synthetic fibre production, and extraction of precious metals, that is, gold and silver, contribute significantly to cyanide contamination in the environment through wastewater. As fresh water reserves throughout the world are low, cyanide contamination in water reserves threatens not only the economy, but also endangers the lives of living organisms that feed from these sources, including humans. In the mining industry, dilute cyanide solutions are utilised for the recovery of base (e.g. Cu, Zn, Ni, etc.) and precious metals (e.g. Au, Ag, etc.). However, for technical reasons, the water utilised for these processes cannot be recycled upstream of the mineral bioleaching circuit as the microorganisms employed in mineral bioleaching are sensitive to cyanide and its complexes, and thus the presence of such compounds would inhibit microbial activity, resulting in poor mineral oxidation. The inability to recycle the water has negative implications for water conservation and re-use, especially in arid regions. A number of treatment methods have been developed to remediate cyanide containing wastewaters. However, these chemical and physical methods are capital intensive and produce excess sludge which requires additional treatment. Furthermore, the by-products that are produced through these methods are hazardous. Therefore, there is a need for the development of alternative methods that are robust and economically viable for the bioremediation of cyanide-contaminated wastewater. Biological treatment of free cyanide in industrial wastewaters has been proved a viable and robust method for treatment of wastewaters containing cyanide. Several bacterial species, including Bacillus sp., can degrade cyanide to less toxic products, as these microorganisms are able to use the cyanide as a nitrogen source, producing ammonia and carbon dioxide. These bacterial species secrete enzymes that catalyse the degradation of cyanide into several end-products. The end-products of biodegradation can then be utilised by the microorganisms as nutrient sources. This study focused on the isolation and identification of bacterial species in wastewater containing elevated concentrations of cyanide, and the assessment of the cyanide biodegradation ability of the isolates. Thirteen bacterial isolates were isolated from electroplating wastewater by suppressing the growth of fungal organisms and these species were identified as species belonging to the Bacillus genus using the 16S rDNA gene. A mixed culture of the isolates was cultured in nutrient broth for 48 hours at 37°C, to which FCN as KCN was added to evaluate the species‟ ability to tolerate and biodegrade cyanide in batch bioreactors. Subsequently, cultures were supplemented solely with agro-waste extracts, that is, Ananas comosus extract (1% v/v), Beta vulgaris extract (1% v/v), Ipomea batatas extract (1% v/v), spent brewer‟s yeast (1% v/v) and whey (0.5% w/v), as the primary carbon sources. Owing to the formation of high ammonium concentration from the cyanide biodegradation process, the nitrification and aerobic denitrification ability of the isolates, classified as cyanide-degrading bacteria (CDB) was evaluated in a batch and pneumatic bioreactor in comparison with ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB). Furthermore, the effects of F-CN on the nitrification and aerobic denitrification was evaluated assess the impact of F-CN presence on nitrification. Additionally, optimisation of culture conditions with reference to temperature, pH and substrate concentration was evaluated using response surface methodology. Using the optimised data, a continuous biodegradation process was carried out in a dual-stage packed- bed reactor combined with a pneumatic bioreactor for the biodegradation of F-CN and subsequent nitrification and aerobic denitrification of the formed ammonium and nitrates. The isolated bacterial species were found to be gram positive and were able to produce endospores that were centrally located; using the 16S rDNA gene, the species were found to belong to the Bacillus genus. The species were able to degrade high cyanide concentration in nutrient broth with degradation efficiencies of 87.6%, 65.4%, 57.0% and 43.6% from 100 mg F-CN/L, 200 mg F-CN/L, 300 mg F-CN/L, 400 mg F-CN/L and 500 mg F-CN/L respectively over a period of 8 days. Additionally, the isolates were able to degrade cyanide in an agro-waste supported medium, especially in a medium that was supplemented with whey which achieved a degradation efficiency of 90% and 60% from 200 mg F-CN/L and 400 mg F-CN/L, respectively over a period of 5 days. The nitrification ability of the isolates was evaluated and the removal of NH4 +/NO3 - by the CDB and AOB in both shake flasks and pneumatic bioreactor was determined to be pH dependent. The maximum NH4 +/NO3 - removal evaluated over a period of 8 days for CDB and 15 days for AOB, observed at pH 7.7 in shake flasks, was 75% and 88%, respectively, in the absence of F-CN. Similarly, the removal of NH4 +/NO3 - in a pneumatic bioreactor was found to be 97.31% for CDB and 92% for AOB, thus demonstrating the importance of aeration in the designed process. The nitrification by CDB was not inhibited by cyanide loading up to a concentration of 8 mg FCN/ L, while the AOB were inhibited at cyanide loading concentration of 1 mg F-CN/L. The CDB removed the NH4 +/NO3 - in PBSs operated in a fed-batch mode, obtaining efficiencies >99% (NH4 +) and 76 to 98% (NO3 -) in repeated cycles (n = 3) under F-CN (≤8 mg F-CN/L). The input variables, that is, pH, temperature and whey-waste concentration, were optimised using a numerical optimisation technique where the optimum conditions were found to be: pH 9.88, temperature 33.60 °C and whey-waste concentration 14.27 g/L, under which 206.53 mg CN-/L in 96 h can be biodegraded by the microbial species from an initial cyanide concentration of 500 mg F-CN/L. Furthermore, using the optimised data, cyanide biodegradation in a continuous mode was evaluated in a dual-stage packed-bed bioreactor connected in series to a pneumatic bioreactor system used for simultaneous nitrification including aerobic denitrification. The whey-supported Bacillus sp. culture was not inhibited by the free cyanide concentration of up to 500 mg F-CN/L, with an overall degradation efficiency of ≥99% with subsequent nitrification and aerobic denitrification of the formed ammoniu and nitrates over a period of 80 days.

The kinetic and mechanistic features of a new series ofplatinum-thallium cyano compounds containing a direct andunsupported by ligands metal-metal bond have been studied insolution, using standard mix–and–measurespectrophotometric technique and stopped–flow method.These reactions are interpreted as oxidative addition of the cspecies to the square planar Pt(CN)42-complex. Each of these processes was found to befirst-order in Pt(CN)42-, the corresponding TIIIIcomplex and a cyanide ion donating species whichacts as a catalyst. Both di- and trinuclear complexes werestudied, and the kinetically significant thallium complexes intheir formation and the catalytically active cyanide sourcesare as follows: [(CN)5PtTl(CN)3]3-: Tl(CN)4–(alkaline region), Tl(CN)3(slightly acidic region) and CN–; [(CN)5Pt–Tl(CN)]–: Tl(CN)2+and Tl(CN)2+; [(CN)5Pt–Tl–Pt(CN)5]3-: [(CN)5Pt–Tl(CN)]–and HCN. Appropriatemechanisms were postulated for the overall reactions in allcases, which include i) metal–metal bond formation stepand ii) coordination of an axial cyanide ion to the platinumcenter. Two experimentally indistinguishable kinetic modelswere proposed for the formation of the dinuclear complexeswhich are different in the sequence of the two steps. In thecase of the trinuclear complex, experimental evidence isavailable to exclude one of the alternative reaction paths, andit was proven that the metal–metal bond formation precedesthe axial cyanide coordination. The cyanide ligands coordinated to TIIIIin the Pt–Tl complexes could be replacedsuccessfully with aminopolycarboxylates e.g.: mimda2-, nta3-, edta4-. The [(CN)5Pt–Tl(edta)]4-complex, with a direct metal–metal bond hasbeen prepared in solution by two different reactions: a)dissolution of [(CN)5Pt–Tl](s) in an aqueous solution of edta, b)directly from Pt(CN)42-and Tl(edta)(CN)2-. The decomposition reaction is greatlyaccelerated by cyanide and significantly inhibited by edta. Itproceeds through the [(CN)5Pt–Tl(CN)3]3-intermediate. The formation of [(CN)5Pt–Tl(edta)]4-can proceed via two different pathways dependingon the ratio of the cyanide to the edta ligand concentrations.The’direct path’at excess of edta means theformation of intermediate[(CN)4Pt···Tl(CN)(edta)]4-, followed by a release of the cyanide from theTl–centre followed by coordination of a cyanide from thebulk to the Pt–centre of the intermediate. The’indirect path’dominates in the absence of extraedta and the formation of the Pt–Tl bond occours betweenPt(CN)42-and Tl(CN)4–. Homoligand MTl(CN)4(M = TlI, K, Na) and, for the first time, Tl(CN)3species have been synthesized in the solid stateand their structures solved by single crystal X–raydiffraction method. Interesting redox processes have been foundbetween TIIIIand CN–in non–aqueous solution and in Tl2O3-CN–aqueous suspension. In the crystal structureof Tl(CN)3·H2O, the thallium(III) ion has a trigonal bypiramidalcoordination geometry with three cyanides in the trigonalplane, while an oxygen atom of the water molecule and anitrogen atom from a cyanide ligand attached to a neighboringthallium complex, form a linear O–Tl–N fragment.Cyanide ligand bridges thallium units forming an infinitezigzag chain structure. Among the thallium(III) tetracyanocompounds, the isostructural M[Tl(CN)4](M = Tl and K) and Na[Tl(CN)4]·3H2O crystallize in different crystal systems, but thethallium(III) ion has in all cases the same tetrahedralgeometry in the [Tl(CN)4]–unit. Three adducts of mercury(II) (isoelectronic with TIIII) (K2PtHg(CN)6·2H2O, Na2PdHg(CN)6·2H2O and K2NiHg(CN)6·2H2O) have been prepared from Hg(CN)2and square planar transition metal cyanides MII(CN)42-and their structure have been studied by singlecrystal X–ray diffraction, XPS and Raman spectroscopy inthe solid state. The structure of (K2PtHg(CN)6·2H2O consists of strictly linear one dimensional wireswith PtIIand HgIIcenters located alternately, dHg–Pt= 3.460 Å. The structure of Na2PdHg(CN)6·2H2O and K2NiHg(CN)6·2H2O can be considered as double salts, the lack ofhetero–metallophilic interaction between both the HgIIand PdIIatoms, dHg–Pd= 4.92 Å, and HgIIand NiIIatoms, dNi–Pd= 4.60 Å, seems obvious. Electronbinding energy values of the metallic centers measured by XPSshow that there is no electron transfer between the metal ionsin all three adducts. In solution, experimental findingsclearly indicate the lack of metal–metal bond formation inall studied HgII–CN-–MII(CN)42-systems (M = Pt, Pd and Ni). It is in contrary tothe platinum–thallium bonded cyanides. KEYWORDS:metal–metal bond, platinum, thallium,kinetics, mechanism, stopped flow, oxidative addition, cyanocomplexes, edta, redox reaction, metal cyanides, X–raydiffraction, Raman, NMR, mercury, palladium, nickel, onedimensional wire

<p>The kinetic and mechanistic features of a new series ofplatinum-thallium cyano compounds containing a direct andunsupported by ligands metal-metal bond have been studied insolution, using standard mix–and–measurespectrophotometric technique and stopped–flow method.These reactions are interpreted as oxidative addition of the cspecies to the square planar Pt(CN)₄^2-complex. Each of these processes was found to befirst-order in Pt(CN)₄^2-, the corresponding TI^IIIcomplex and a cyanide ion donating species whichacts as a catalyst. Both di- and trinuclear complexes werestudied, and the kinetically significant thallium complexes intheir formation and the catalytically active cyanide sourcesare as follows: [(CN)₅PtTl(CN)₃]^3-: Tl(CN)₄^–(alkaline region), Tl(CN)₃(slightly acidic region) and CN^–; [(CN)₅Pt–Tl(CN)]–: Tl(CN)₂⁺and Tl(CN)₂⁺; [(CN)₅Pt–Tl–Pt(CN)₅]^3-: [(CN)₅Pt–Tl(CN)]–and HCN. Appropriatemechanisms were postulated for the overall reactions in allcases, which include i) metal–metal bond formation stepand ii) coordination of an axial cyanide ion to the platinumcenter. Two experimentally indistinguishable kinetic modelswere proposed for the formation of the dinuclear complexeswhich are different in the sequence of the two steps. In thecase of the trinuclear complex, experimental evidence isavailable to exclude one of the alternative reaction paths, andit was proven that the metal–metal bond formation precedesthe axial cyanide coordination.</p><p>The cyanide ligands coordinated to TI^IIIin the Pt–Tl complexes could be replacedsuccessfully with aminopolycarboxylates e.g.: mimda^2-, nta^3-, edta^4-. The [(CN)₅Pt–Tl(edta)]^4-complex, with a direct metal–metal bond hasbeen prepared in solution by two different reactions: a)dissolution of [(CN)₅Pt–Tl](s) in an aqueous solution of edta, b)directly from Pt(CN)₄^2-and Tl(edta)(CN)^2-. The decomposition reaction is greatlyaccelerated by cyanide and significantly inhibited by edta. Itproceeds through the [(CN)₅Pt–Tl(CN)₃]^3-intermediate. The formation of [(CN)₅Pt–Tl(edta)]^4-can proceed via two different pathways dependingon the ratio of the cyanide to the edta ligand concentrations.The’direct path’at excess of edta means theformation of intermediate[(CN)4Pt···Tl(CN)(edta)]^4-, followed by a release of the cyanide from theTl–centre followed by coordination of a cyanide from thebulk to the Pt–centre of the intermediate. The’indirect path’dominates in the absence of extraedta and the formation of the Pt–Tl bond occours betweenPt(CN)₄^2-and Tl(CN)4^–.</p><p>Homoligand MTl(CN)₄(M = Tl^I, K, Na) and, for the first time, Tl(CN)₃species have been synthesized in the solid stateand their structures solved by single crystal X–raydiffraction method. Interesting redox processes have been foundbetween TI^IIIand CN^–in non–aqueous solution and in Tl₂O₃-CN^–aqueous suspension. In the crystal structureof Tl(CN)₃·H₂O, the thallium(III) ion has a trigonal bypiramidalcoordination geometry with three cyanides in the trigonalplane, while an oxygen atom of the water molecule and anitrogen atom from a cyanide ligand attached to a neighboringthallium complex, form a linear O–Tl–N fragment.Cyanide ligand bridges thallium units forming an infinitezigzag chain structure. Among the thallium(III) tetracyanocompounds, the isostructural M[Tl(CN)₄](M = Tl and K) and Na[Tl(CN)₄]·3H₂O crystallize in different crystal systems, but thethallium(III) ion has in all cases the same tetrahedralgeometry in the [Tl(CN)₄]^–unit.</p><p>Three adducts of mercury(II) (isoelectronic with TI^III) (K₂PtHg(CN)₆·2H₂O, Na₂PdHg(CN)₆·2H₂O and K₂NiHg(CN)₆·2H₂O) have been prepared from Hg(CN)₂and square planar transition metal cyanides M^II(CN)₄^2-and their structure have been studied by singlecrystal X–ray diffraction, XPS and Raman spectroscopy inthe solid state. The structure of (K₂PtHg(CN)₆·2H₂O consists of strictly linear one dimensional wireswith Pt^IIand Hg^IIcenters located alternately, d_Hg–Pt= 3.460 Å. The structure of Na₂PdHg(CN)₆·2H₂O and K₂NiHg(CN)₆·2H₂O can be considered as double salts, the lack ofhetero–metallophilic interaction between both the Hg^IIand Pd^IIatoms, d_Hg–Pd= 4.92 Å, and Hg^IIand Ni^IIatoms, d_Ni–Pd= 4.60 Å, seems obvious. Electronbinding energy values of the metallic centers measured by XPSshow that there is no electron transfer between the metal ionsin all three adducts. In solution, experimental findingsclearly indicate the lack of metal–metal bond formation inall studied Hg^II–CN^-–M^II(CN)4^2-systems (M = Pt, Pd and Ni). It is in contrary tothe platinum–thallium bonded cyanides.</p><p><b>KEYWORDS:</b>metal–metal bond, platinum, thallium,kinetics, mechanism, stopped flow, oxidative addition, cyanocomplexes, edta, redox reaction, metal cyanides, X–raydiffraction, Raman, NMR, mercury, palladium, nickel, onedimensional wire</p>