The reaction of asymmetrical phosphorus ylides [Ph2PCH2PPh2=C(H)C(O)C6H4R] (R=Br, OCH3) with mercury(II) halides yielded the P, C-chelated complexes. Characterisation of these products was carried out by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 31P, and 13C NMR. Computational studies at DFT (BP86) level of theory are also reported. The electrochemical behaviour of complexes was also investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The synthesised compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities against six Gram negative and positive bacteria.
