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Mercury II nitrate is an inorganic chemical. These colorless or white soluble crystalline solids are occasionally utilized as a reagent. Mercury is treated with highly concentrated nitric acid to create.When heated, it decomposes into nitrogen and oxygen. An explosion can result from prolonged exposure to heat or fire. It's tough to find in the market due to its toxicity.
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Key terms- mercury II nitrate, mercury, nitrate, nitric acid, substance, explosive
What is Mercury (II) nitrate?
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Mercury II Nitrate is a crystalline white substance that is poisonous and water-soluble. It can cause psychological disorders if you are exposed to it too much (e.g., restlessness, depression, impaired memory, tremor). Exposure to it can also cause mercury poisoning. X-ray crystallography has not proven either anhydrous or monohydrate. The usage of anhydrous material is more common.
Preparation of Mercury II Nitrate
4HNO3+ Hg → Hg (NO3)2 + 2 NO2 + 2 H2O
Mercury (II) nitrate is made by reacting elemental mercury with strong nitric acid. The reaction is accelerated by heat. The solution is slowly heated until the substance freezes to dry it out. It is recommended that you do not overheat it since it will degrade. Mercury(I) nitrate will develop if diluted nitric acid is used instead.
Properties of Mercury II Nitrate
| Name | Mercury II Nitrate |
| Another name | Mercuric Nitrate, Mercury Dinitrate |
| Odor | Sharp |
| Flashpoint | Non-flammable |
| Appearance | Colorless crystals or white powder |
| Chemical Formula | Hg (NO3)2 |
| Melting Point | 79 °C (174 °F; 352 K) (monohydrate) |
| Density | 4.3 g/cm³ (monohydrate) |
| Molar Mass | 324.7 g/mol (anhydrous) |
| Exact Mass | 325.946279 |
| Solubility in Water | Soluble |
| Solubility | Insoluble in alcohol and soluble in nitric acid, acetone, and ammonia |
| Related compound | Mercury (I)nitrate |
| Magnetic susceptibility | −74.0·10−6 cm3/mol |
| Corrosivity | It will corrode most metals |
Uses of Mercury II Nitrate
- In the mercuration of ketones, mercuric nitrate has been employed.
- It is used in labs as a nitrification and analytical reagent.
- Mercury fulminate is made with this chemical.
Prevention and Control Measures
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It is highly poisonous and may be absorbed via the skin. When working with the compound, use adequate safety precautions. Contamination protection clothes should be provided. Personnel handling, disposing, or cleaning the apparel should be segregated in such a way that no direct human contact occurs. It is necessary to establish quality assurance to assess the completion of the cleaning methods. And it must be done before the workers' protective apparel is returned for reuse. It should be kept in closed bottles with a proper warning label indicating that it is a hazardous substance. Plastic bottles (PE or PP) are suitable since they will not break if dropped on a hard surface, such as the floor.
Things to Remember
- It is recommended to keep it separately from flammable substances, reducing agents, and combustible substances. Keep the lights turned off. Store at a location where there is no access to a drain or sewer. Provision for containing fire-fighting effluent. Closed uptight.
- Toxic mercury and nitrogen oxides may be present in the fire's vapors.
- Although it is not combustible, it aids in the burning of other chemicals. In a fire, it emits unpleasant or hazardous fumes (or gasses).
- Mercuric nitrate is found in certain ointments. Due to both direct absorption and licking of portions to which the ointment has been applied, dogs and cats are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of mercury from mercurial ointments. The usage of mercuric nitrate-containing ointments has also been linked to livestock poisoning.
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Sample Questions
Ques. Why does mercury (II) nitrate develop only when nitric acid is concentrated? (2 marks)
Ans. Mercury (II) nitrate develops only when nitric acid is concentrated because there is more acid present in concentrated nitric acid than mercury, the reaction starts with the creation of the +1 salt but eventually oxidizes to the +2 salt.
Ques. Gases evolved during the thermal decomposition of mercuric nitrate are? What are the uses of mercury II nitrate? (4 marks)
Ans. Nitrogen dioxide and oxygen are the gases that evolved in the thermal breakdown of mercury II nitrate. Under typical temperature circumstances, this reaction also produces pure mercury in its liquid state.
Mercury II nitrate has been used in the mercuration of ketones. It's utilized as a nitrification and analytical reagent in laboratories. This compound is used to make mercury fulminate.
Ques. What are the safety measures that should be kept in check while using mercury II nitrate solution? (3 marks)
Ans. Use side-protecting safety goggles, Wear the appropriate gloves for chemical protection Drains, surfaces, and groundwater should all be avoided. It should be kept in closed bottles with the appropriate danger label attached and it should be converted to an insoluble form, such as mercury sulphide, and then disposed of at hazardous waste facilities.
Ques. Nitrogen dioxide is the gas that evolves during the thermal breakdown of mercury II nitrate. Is the gas harmful to humans? (3 marks)
Ans. As nitrogen dioxide is a poisonous gas, higher doses are known to be harmful to individuals. It has the potential to affect the respiratory system, especially the lungs, as well as raise the risk of respiratory infections and asthma. Long-term nitrogen dioxide gas exposure can also induce serious lung diseases.
Ques. What are the different types of first aid measures that should be provided to a person if they come in contact with mercury II nitrate? (5 marks)
Ans. First-aid methods are as follow:
- Immediately after inhalation - Make sure there is enough fresh air. Seek medical advice if you have any doubts or if your symptoms don't go away.
- After skin contact - If it comes into touch with your skin, wash it off right away with lots of water. In any event, consult a doctor.
- After making eye contact - Rinse with water for several minutes, being careful not to overdo it. If you have any doubts or if your symptoms don't go away, visit a doctor for medical guidance
- Immediately after intake - Using water, rinse your mouth (only if the person is conscious). Make an appointment with a physician.
Ques. What are the chemical and physical properties of mercury II nitrate? (5 marks)
Ans. The physical and chemical properties of mercury II nitrate are
- Mercury (II) nitrate has a molar mass of 324.60 g/mol.
- It has a density of 4.3 g/cm3. As a result, the freezing point is 79 degrees Celsius (174 degrees Fahrenheit; 352 degrees Kelvin).
- It is colourless crystals or white powder with a sharp odour
- It is highly explosive when too much heat is applied.
- It is insoluble in alcohol but soluble in water
- It produces nitrogen dioxide and oxygen during the thermal breakdown
- It is non–flammable
Ques. What are the things to be kept in check while storing mercury II nitrate? (3 marks)
Ans. It should be kept away from food and feedstuffs, flammable substances, reducing agents, and combustible substances. Keep in the shadows. Store at a location where there is no access to a drain or sewer. Provision for containing fire-fighting effluent. Closed uptight. Only keep the original container. Storage temperature should be low as too much heat can make it react causing an explosion.
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