ETHYLMERCURIC CHLORIDE

Chemical properties

silver crystals or white solid

Chemical properties

Ethyl methacrylate is a colorless liquid.

Chemical properties

Ethyl mercuric chloride, an alkyl-organo mercury compound, is silvery white, forming leaf-like crystals

The Uses of ETHYLMERCURIC CHLORIDE

Applied at 2% strength (soln or mixed with solids) as a fungicide for treating seeds.

The Uses of ETHYLMERCURIC CHLORIDE

Ethyl mercuric chloride is used as the polymerization catalyst; seed or bulb fungicide.

Definition

ChEBI: Ethylmercuric chloride is a highly toxic organomercury compound which is used as a fungicide for treating seeds. It has a role as a fungicide. It is a chlorine molecular entity and an organomercury compound.

General Description

Silver iridescent crystals or white fluffy solid . Sublimes easily. Sensitive to light. Highly toxic. Causes skin burns and is absorbed through the skin.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

ETHYLMERCURIC CHLORIDE is sensitive to prolonged exposure to light. Incompatible with strong oxidizers such as chlorine .

Hazard

Strong irritant.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for ETHYLMERCURIC CHLORIDE are not available; however, ETHYLMERCURIC CHLORIDE is probably combustible.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, and intraperitoneal routes. An experimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductive effects. Human mutation data reported. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS, ORGANIC. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Cland Hg.

Potential Exposure

This chemical is used in manufacture of coatings, resins, and lacquers. Widely known as “Plexiglass” (in the polymer form), ethyl methacrylate is used to make polymers, which in turn are used for building, automotive, aerospace, and furniture industries. It is also used by dentists as dental plates, artificial teeth, and orthopedic cement.

Shipping

UN2277 Ethyl methacrylate, stabilized, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid

Purification Methods

Mercuric chloride can be removed by suspending ethylmercuric chloride in hot distilled water, filtering with suction onto a sintered-glass crucible and drying it. Then crystallise it from ethanol and sublime it under reduced pressure. It can also be crystallised from water. [Marvel et al. J Am Chem Soc 47 3009 1925.]

Incompatibilities

May form explosive mixture with air. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine,etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, and epoxides. Corrodes some metals. Unless inhibited, violent polymerization can occur from heat, sunlight, and contact with strong oxidizers

Waste Disposal

In accordance with 40CFR 165 recommendations for the disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers. Must be disposed properly by following package label directions or by contacting your local or federal environmental control agency, or by contacting your regional EPA office.