. Can. J. Chem. 64, 442 (1986). A number of methylmercurated complexes of 6-mercaptopurine riboside and 2-amino-6-mercaptopurine riboside (6-MNucH2) containing S-bound CH3Hg(II) in neutral and cationic complexes ] and [CH3Hg(6-MNucH2)]N03), S-and N-bound CH3Hg(II) (as in [(CH3Hg)2(6-MNucH)]N03), and S-, N-, C-bound CH3Hg(ll) (as in [(CH3Hg)3(6-MNuc)]N03) have been prepared in aqueous solution at appropriate ptI and mole ratios of the constituents. The complexes were characterized by means of 'H and I3C nmr and ir spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Formation of C-bound methylmercurated species extends our previous results obtained with xanthosine, inosine, and imidazole derivatives, and substantiates our proposal that activation through electrophilic coordination at N(7) is a requirement for C(8)-H abstraction. ' J ( ' H -'~~H~) coupling constants, measured in (CD3)'S0 for a number of CH3Hg(II) complexes of N-, S-, and C-donor heterocyclic ligands, including the 6-mercaptopurine riboside of the present study, correlate well with the ' J ( '~C -'~~H~) coupling constants, according to I J = 8.460'~ -155.6. The significance of this correlation in terms of the strength of the Hg-ligand bond is considered. The results could provide insight into the apparent selectivity of binding of CH3Hg(II) by bio-ligands, as well as in the design of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of methylmercury poisoning.