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Mercury (II) Sulphate is one of the most common compounds used in chemistry and is also known as mercuric sulfate having the molecular formula HgSO4. It possesses a white color and is usually available in the form of crystalline powder or granules. It is highly toxic and is widely used as a catalyst in several reactions.
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Keywords: Mercuric Sulfate, structure, physical and chemical properties, synthesis, use, hazards
Mercuric sulfate
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Mercury (II) sulfate, is also known as mercuric sulfate, has the molecular formula HgSO4. Mercury has two types of cations, monovalent, known as Mercurius (Hg+1) and mercuric (Hg+2). Mercury (II) sulfate is a compound having the divalent cation. Whereas, there is also Mercury (I) sulfate, also known as Mercurius sulfate having molecular formula Hg2SO4.
It has been widely used in the industry to carry out several reactions, however, it was first reported to be used in 1932, by a Japanese company named Chisso corporation. Chisso corporation widely used mercuric sulfate as a catalyst to carry out the acetylation of water to successfully produce acetaldehyde.
Structure of mercuric sulfate
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Mercuric sulfate exists in the form of monoclinic white crystals. The molecular formula HgSO4 states that the compound has one mercuric ion, one sulfate ion, and four oxygen atoms. The molecular structure of mercuric sulfate was determined using X-Ray crystallography. The X-ray crystallography depicts that the structure is tetrahedral in shape, like a pyramid.
In the tetrahedral structure, the mercury atom lies at the center of a distorted tetrahedron and is surrounded by four oxygen atoms from sulphate ions. Mercury and oxygen atoms are connected through SO groups in zig-zag chains. One chain lies in the mirror plane, the other is perpendicular to it. The interatomic distance between sulphate and oxygen atom ranges from 1.48 to 1.49 angstrom, and the same between mercuric atom and oxygen atoms are 2.08 to 2.38 angstrom, and between the different oxygen atoms are 2.21 to 2.66 angstrom. Moreover, the interatomic angles are 144º and 159º.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Mercuric Sulfate
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The following table lists the physical and chemical properties of mercuric sulfate.
| Physical properties | Chemical properties | ||
| Color | White granules or crystalline powder Colorless rhombic crystals | Molecular weight | 296.66 gms |
| Odor | odorless | Hydrogen bond donor | 0 |
| Shape and structure | White granules or crystalline powder Colorless rhombic crystals | Hydrogen bond acceptor | 4 |
| Corrosive for | Magnesium Aluminum Copper Iron Lead Zinc | Formal charge | 0 |
| Solubility | Soluble in hydrochloric acid, hot dilute sulphuric acid, sodium chloride. Insoluble in water, alcohol, acetone, and ammonia. | ||
| 6.47 at 68ºC | |||
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Synthesis of mercuric sulfate
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Mercuric sulfate can be synthesized by two methods:
- Sulfuric acid reacts with mercury metal, followed by crystallization.
Hg + 2 H2SO4 → HgSO4 + SO2 + 2 H2O
- Sulfuric acid reacts with mercuric oxide which is freshly prepared and packed in form of cakes, in glass containers.
HgO + 2 H2SO4 → HgSO4 + 2 H2O
Both of these procedures yield a good quantity of mercuric sulphate.
Uses of mercuric sulfate
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There are several uses of mercuric sulfate, a few of them are mentioned below:
- Mercuric sulfate is used as a catalyst to acetylate water and acetylene and produce acetaldehyde.
Mercuric sulfate acts as an acid in the reaction and fastens the rate of reaction. It catalyzes, the conversion of water and acetylene to synthesize acetaldehyde
- Mercuric sulfate is used as a catalyst to carry out oxymercuration and demercuration of alkenes.
Oxymercuration and demercuration of alkenes is a type of electrophilic addition reaction. In this reaction, the alkene reacts with water, it undergoes hydration and produces alcohol.
- Mercuric sulfate is used as a catalyst to carry out the hydration of alkynes.
In this reaction, the alkyne reacts with water in presence of HgSO4, it undergoes hydration and cyclization and produces a five-membered furan ring.
- It is used as an electrolyte in batteries, along with other electrolytes, for example, potassium hydroxide, lithium salts, etc.
- Mercuric sulfate is used to extract gold and silver metals from the mineral pyrite accompanied by using sodium chloride.
Hazardous parameters to be noted
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There are several health issues associated with the use of mercuric sulfate. A few of the health issues associated with mercuric sulfate are listed below:
- On inhalation, it induces coughing, difficulties in breathing, pain, and tightness in the chest.
- On coming in contact with eyes, it causes ulcers in the conjunctiva and the cornea.
- On coming in contact with skin, it causes dermatitis.
- On consuming mercuric sulfate, it causes vomiting, death of digestive tissue, purging, and even death.
- It is highly toxic to kidneys on regular exposure to the chemical.
Also Read:
| Mercuric Chloride: Production, Structure and Safety Measures | |
| Potassium Acetate: Definition, Structure, Properties and Applications |
Things to remember
- Mercury (II) sulfate, is also known as mercuric sulfate, has the molecular formula HgSO4. It has been widely used in the industry to carry out several reactions, however, it was first reported to be used in 1932, by a Japanese company named Chisso corporation.
- Mercuric sulfate exists in the form of monoclinic white crystals. The molecular formula HgSO4 states that the compound has one mercuric ion, one sulfate ion, four oxygen atoms, and a tetrahedral structure. The molecular structure was determined using X-Ray crystallography.
- The interatomic distance between sulfate and oxygen atom ranges from 1.48 to 1.49 angstrom, and the same between mercuric atom and oxygen atoms are 2.08 to 2.38 angstrom, and between the different oxygen atoms are 2.21 to 2.66 angstrom. Moreover, the interatomic angles are 144º and 159º.
- Mercuric sulfate can be synthesized by two methods, using, mercury metal, and mercuric oxide using sulphuric acid.
- Mercuric sulfate has several health hazards such as coughing, difficulties in breathing, pain, and tightness in the chest, ulcers in the conjunctiva and the cornea dermatitis, vomiting, death of digestive tissue, purging, and even death, highly toxic to kidneys on regular exposure to the chemical.
Sample questions
Question 1: What is mercuric sulfate? (2 marks)
Answer: Mercury (II) sulfate, is also known as mercuric sulfate, has the molecular formula HgSO4. It has been widely used in the industry to carry out several reactions, however, it was first reported to be used in 1932, by a Japanese company named Chisso corporation as a catalyst to carry out the acetylation of water to successfully produce acetaldehyde. It has a tetrahedral structure and possesses monoclinic white crystals.
Question 2: List the physical and chemical properties of mercuric sulfate. (2 marks)
Answer: Mercuric sulfate exists as white granules or crystalline powder or colorless rhombic crystals and is odorless in nature. It is corrosive for elements like Magnesium, Aluminum, Copper, Iron, Lead, Zinc. It has a molecular weight of 296.66 gms and is soluble in hydrochloric acid, hot dilute sulphuric acid, sodium chloride, and is insoluble in water, alcohol, acetone, and ammonia.
Question 3: What happens when water is warmed with acetylene in presence of mercuric sulfate. (2 marks)
Answer: Mercuric sulfate is used as a catalyst to acetylate water and acetylene and produce acetaldehyde. Mercuric sulfate acts as an acid in the reaction and fastens the rate of reaction. It catalyzes, the conversion of water and acetylene to synthesize acetaldehyde.
Question 4: What is the structure of mercuric sulfate? (2 marks)
Answer: The molecular structure of mercuric sulfate was determined using X-Ray crystallography. The X-ray crystallography depicts that the structure is tetrahedral in shape, like a pyramid. The mercury atom lies at the center of a distorted tetrahedron and is surrounded by four oxygen atoms from sulfate ions. Mercury and oxygen atoms are connected through SO groups in zig-zag chains. One chain lies in the mirror plane, the other is perpendicular to it.
Question 5: How can we synthesize mercuric sulfate? (3 marks)
Answer: Mercuric sulfate can be synthesized by two methods:
- Sulfuric acid reacts with mercury metal, followed by crystallization.
Hg + 2 H2SO4 → HgSO4 + SO2 + 2 H2O
- Sulfuric acid reacts with mercuric oxide which is freshly prepared and packed in form of cakes, in glass containers.
HgO + 2 H2SO4 → HgSO4 + 2 H2O
Question 6: Write a brief note on the use of mercuric sulfate for the hydration of saturated compounds. (2 marks)
Answer: Saturated compounds includes both alkene and alkynes. Mercuric sulfate is used as a catalyst used to hydrate the unsaturated compounds. In the case of alkenes, the alkene reacts with water, it undergoes hydration, and produces alcohol. Whereas in alkynes the alkyne reacts with water in presence of HgSO4, it undergoes hydration and cyclization and produces a five-membered furan ring.
Question 7: Briefly explain Deniges reagent. (2 marks)
Answer: The Deniges reagent is a composition containing mercuric sulfate. It is an aqueous solution of mercury (II) sulfate. This solution contains 5 grams of mercury (II) oxide (HgO) which is then dissolved in 40 mL of distilled water. The mixture is then slowly stirred, accompanied by the addition of 20 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid.
Question 8: What is the difference between mercuric sulfate and mercurous sulfate? (2 marks)
Answer: Mercury has two types of cations, monovalent, known as Mercurius (Hg+1) and mercuric (Hg+2). Mercury (II) sulfate is a compound having the divalent cation. Whereas, there is also Mercury (I) sulfate, also known as Mercurius sulfate having molecular formula Hg2SO4.
Question 9: Write a note on interatomic distances and interatomic angles in mercuric sulfate. (2 marks)
Answer: The interatomic distance between sulfate and oxygen atom ranges from 1.48 to 1.49 angstrom, and the same between mercuric atom and oxygen atoms are 2.08 to 2.38 angstrom, and between the different oxygen atoms are 2.21 to 2.66 angstrom. Moreover, the interatomic angles are 144º and 159º.
Question 10: What are the health hazards associated with mercuric sulfate? (2 marks)
Answer: Mercuric sulfate has several health hazards such as coughing, difficulties in breathing, pain, and tightness in the chest, ulcers in the conjunctiva and the cornea dermatitis, vomiting, death of digestive tissue, purging, and even death, highly toxic to kidneys on regular exposure to the chemical. It is also acutely toxic to aquatic life and the environment.
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