The alternate name for thiols reflects their affinity for this metal.
Richard Larock wrote a series of papers detailing uses of this element in organic chemistry. Nishizawa pioneered the use of this element's triflate for olefin cyclizations. In China, but basically nowhere else, vinyl chloride monomer is made using a catalyst containing this metal. Oxides or chlorides of this metal are added to deprotect dithianes and reform carbonyls. Aromatic nitration done with this element's nitrate forms trinitrophenol. The Chisso corporation manufactured acetaldehyde by reacting (*) acetylene with a catalyst containing this metal, which normally converts terminal alkynes to methyl ketones in water. This element's acetate, a soft acid, forms a cationic three-membered ring, which is then attacked at the more substituted carbon and reduced by sodium borohydride, in a Markovnikov hydration of alkenes. The alternate name for thiols reflects their affinity for this metal. For 10 points, name this metal found in amalgams.
Richard Larock wrote a series of papers detailing uses of this element in organic chemistry.
mercury [or Hg]