Abstract A new complex of Hg(II) with 6-methoxyquinoline (C 10 H 9 NO-6MQ) has been synthesized and characterized. The structure of the complex Hg(6MQ)Cl 2 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2 1 / c with a = 3.9139(3), b = 26.3400(2), c = 10.9090(9) Å, β = 89.833(6)°, V = 1124.6(1) Å 3 and Z = 4 molecules per unit cell. The coordination geometry of the mercury(II) center can be described as a distorted square pyramid formed by one nitrogen atom of the 6MQ and four chlorine atoms. Fourier transform infrared, Raman and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies have been carried out to characterize the compound, using theoretical calculations for the assignment of the experimentally observed bands. The thermal behavior was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The quantum yield of singlet molecular oxygen production Φ Δ was measured with steady-state methods in ethanol, using 9,10-dimethylanthracene (DMA) as actinometer and Bengal rose as reference photosensitizer. The resultant singlet molecular oxygen was detected indirectly by photooxidation reactions of DMA. The luminescence properties have also been studied.