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Mercuric Chloride is a chemical compound that is a combination of Mercury(Hg) and Chlorine(Cl). The mercuric chloride is an odourless white crystalline solid and It is widely used in laboratories as a reagent and it is very toxic to human beings and some other organisms. Once it was used to treat infections like syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection but now due to its toxicity, it is not used in any kind of human treatment. Other than medicinal and laboratory purposes it is commonly used in photography, wood preservative and fungicide.
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Structure of Mercuric Chloride
This chemical Compound is achieved by the reaction of chlorine on normal mercury or mercury(I) chloride(HgCl). Mercuric Chloride can also be obtained by the addition of hydrochloric acid(HCl) to a hot, concentrated solution of mercury(I) chemical compounds such as nitrate and the chemical combination is given below
| Hg2(NO3)2 + 4HCl → 2HgCl2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O |
The formula of Mercuric Chloride is HgCl? and it is formed by the combination of mercury molecules with chlorine molecules.
- A mercuric chloride or mercury(II) chloride is prepared by treating the mixture of mercury (I) chloride or mercury with the chlorine molecules.
- Then it is heated and next to this hydrochloric acid is added to the heated mixture of Mercury and chloride that is a concentrated solution of nitrate.
- The chemical reaction occurs and it results in the mercuric chloride which is then separated by sublimation.
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The video below explains this:
Mercuric Chloride Detailed Video Explanation:
Properties of Mercuric Chloride:
The physical and chemical properties of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is listed below,
- Mercuric Chloride’sChemical Formula is HgCl2.
- The molecular weight of HgCl2 is 271.52 g/mol.
- Mercuric chloride's density (HgCl?) is 5.43 g/cm3.
- Mercuric Chloride’s boiling point is 304°C.
- Mercuric Chloride’s melting point is 276°C.
- Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is slightly volatile at normal temperature
- It is a toxic Chemical compound that can be sublime unchanged.
- The point of solubility of the mercury chloride (HgCl2) is 5 to 10 my/ml.
- It is highly toxic when it is inhaled through the nose or absorbed by skin or taken in the form of food to the digestive tract because mercury is highly dangerous to human beings and other organisms.
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Uses of Mercuric Chloride:
The industrial, medicinal and laboratory uses of mercuric chloride are listed below,
- Mercuric Chloride (HgCl2) is used in the preservation of anatomical specimens.
- Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is mostly used in leather tanning.
- Mercuric Chloride (HgCl2) is also used in the manufacturing of antiseptic and disinfectants.
- Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is generally used for micrography, in the manufacturing of ink.
- In the laboratory, Mercuric Chloride (HgCl2) is used as a reagent.
- This Mercuric Chloride (HgCl2) is used as an intensifier in photography.
- Mercuric Chloride Compound (HgCl2) is used as a catalyst in the conversion of acetylene into vinyl chloride.
- Mostly, ant repellents are made up of mercuric chloride (HgCl2).
- In dry batteries, mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is highly used
- In Bulbs and tubers, mercuric chloride solution is generally used as a dip to get a bright texture.
- Vinyl Chloride is a precursor of polyvinyl chloride that is obtained from acetylene with the help of mercuric Chloride (HgCl2)
- Generally, mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is used in the formation of an amalgam of metals such as aluminium
- In analytical samples and chemical samples, the Mercuric Chloride (HgCl2) is used as a stabilizing agent.
Measures while Using Mercuric Chloride
- Mercuric chloride explodes in the presence of heat, shock or friction hence dry chemical, CO2, water spray or foam must be used as an extinguisher.
- Safety glasses or goggles must be used for proper eye protection.
- Try to avoid any sort of contact with skin, clothing and eyes.
- Wash all the clothes thoroughly before wearing it again.
Points to Remember
- Mercuric Chloride is a chemical compound formed by the combination of Mercury molecules with Chlorine Molecules and it is widely used as a corrosive sublimate.
- It is formed by the reaction of chlorine molecules in mercury or mercury chloride and its molecular formula is HgCl2.
- It is widely used as a reagent in chemical reactions in the laboratory and previously it was used as a preservative but now it has been abandoned.
- It is used in the treatment of syphilis before the rise of antibiotics then it is stopped due to its poisonous nature.
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Sample Questions
Ques 1. What is the formula of Mercury Chloride? (1 mark)
Ans. The Mercuric Chloride is formed by the combination of mercury and chlorine molecules and its molecular formula is HgCl2.
Ques 2. Explain the chemical reaction of HgCl2 formation. (2 marks)
Ans. When the chlorine reacts with mercury or mercury chloride it gives out the Mercuric Chloride and when hydrochloric acid is combined with a hot solution of mercury compound such as nitrate it results in the chemical reaction
| Hg2(NO3)2 + 4HCl → 2HgCl2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O |
Ques 3. What are some properties of Mercuric Chloride? (1 marks)
Ans. The chemical density of mercuric chloride is 5.43 g/cm3 and its point of solubility is 5 to 10 my/ml. The Molecular weight of Mercuric Chloride is 271.52 g/mol.
Ques 4. What is the main application of Mercuric Chloride HgCl2?
Ans. One of the main applications of Mercuric Chloride is it is used as a catalyst in the conversion of acetylene into vinyl chloride that is the precursor of polyvinyl chloride.
Ques 5. What is the boiling and melting point of Mercuric Chloride? (2 marks)
Ans. The boiling and melting point of mercuric chloride are:
- Mercuric Chloride’s boiling point is 304°C.
- Mercuric Chloride’s melting point is 276°C.
Ques 6. Explain the health hazards caused by Mercuric Chloride. (2 marks)
Ans. Mercuric chloride is highly toxic when it is used compounded or directly not only because of the presence of chlorine but also due to its corrosive nature that can cause severe internal damage to the organs such as bowel damage, intestine ulcer, mouth and throat ulcer etc.
Ques 7. How mercuric chloride is used in photography? (2 marks)
Ans. In photography, mercuric chloride is used to convert negatives into positive photos. It is done by immersing a negative in a solution of mercuric chloride which whitens and thickens the negatives, so the opacity of shadows in negatives increases and it results in the illusion of positive photos.
Ques 8. What are the other names of Mercuric Chloride? (2 marks)
Ans. The other names of Mercuric Chloride are Mercury (II) Chloride and Bichloride of Mercury because of the combination of mercury and chlorine molecules in it
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