sulfuric acid in diethyl ether byproducts: Hg; addn. of fivefol excess of LiAlH4 in ether to soln. of Hg-complex (stirring), sepn. of Hg, heating (1 h), filtration, hydrolysis (aq. H2SO4); washing of ether layer (water), drying (CaCl2), distn., sublimation (vac., 70°C); TLC, GLC;