Mercuric Oxide

Description

Mercuric oxide is a red or orange-red heavy crystalline powder; yellow when finely powdered. Molecular weight= 216.59; Freezing/Melting point=500℃ (decomposes). Hazard Identification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 3, Flammability 0, Reactivity 0. Insoluble in water.

Chemical properties

bright red, orange or yellow powder. Mercuric oxide is incompatible with strong reducing agents, strong oxidising agents, combustible materials, and organic materials.

Chemical properties

Mercuric oxide is a red or orange-red heavy crystalline powder; yellow when finely powdered.

The Uses of Mercuric Oxide

Mercury oxide (HgO) exists in two forms, red and yellow mercuric oxides, and is related to mercurous oxide (Hg2O), which is black. All have industrial uses, ranging from antiseptics to pigments.

The Uses of Mercuric Oxide

Mercury(II)Oxide is used in the synthesis of a mercury based superconductor.

The Uses of Mercuric Oxide

Catalyst

The Uses of Mercuric Oxide

Similar to that of the red oxide; in the manufacture of organic mercurials. In animal chemistry for determining Zn or HCN; detecting acetic acid in formic acid, CO in gas mixtures.

General Description

Red or orange-red odorless, dense crystalline powder or scales, yellow when finely powdered. Used as a chemical intermediate for mercury salts, organic mercury compounds, and chlorine monoxide; antiseptic in pharmaceuticals; component of dry cell batteries; pigment and glass modifier; fungicide; preservative in cosmetics; analytical reagent; formerly used in antifouling paints.

Reactivity Profile

MERCURIC OXIDE is light sensitive. When hydrazine hydrate is dropped on mercuric oxide, an explosion occurs [Mellor 8:318. 1946-47]. Hypophosphorous acid reduces mercuric oxide explosively to the metal [Mellor 4:778. 1946-47]. When heated to decomposition (932 F) MERCURIC OXIDE, RED decomposes into mercury and oxygen. Fumes from fire may contain poisonous mercury vapor; oxygen may increase intensity of fire. Explosion of mercuric oxide may occur with friction or application of heat. Avoid reducing agents. Avoid light; may decompose into mercury and oxygen.

Hazard

Fire risk in contact with organic materials. Highly toxic.

Health Hazard

MERCURIC OXIDE, RED is highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption. Very short exposure to small quantities may cause death or permanent injury. Following ingestion, mercuric oxide is readily converted to mercuric chloride, the most dangerous mercury compound. Mercuric oxide dust has a corrosive effect on eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. People with a history of allergies or known sensitization to mercury, chronic respiratory disease, nervous system disorders, or kidney disorders are at increased risk from exposure.

Fire Hazard

When heated to decomposition (932F) MERCURIC OXIDE, RED decomposes into mercury and oxygen. Fumes from fire may contain poisonous mercury vapor; oxygen may increase intensity of fire. Explosion of mercuric oxide may occur with friction or application of heat. Avoid reducing agents. Avoid light; may decompose into mercury and oxygen. Hazardous polymerization may not occur.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, skin contact, intraperitoneal, and intramuscular routes. An experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. An FDA over-the-counter drug. Used for treating fruit trees. Flammable by chemical reactions. A powerful oxidzer. Explosive reaction with acetyl nitrate, butadene + ethanol + iodine (at 35OC), chlorine + hydrocarbons (e.g., methane, ethylene), diboron tetrafluoride, hydrogen peroxide + traces of nitric acid, reducing agents (e.g., hydrazine hydrate, phosphinic acid). Forms heator impact-sensitive explosive mixtures with nonmetals (e.g., phosphorus, sulfur), metals (e.g., magnesium, potassium, sodium-potas sium alloy). Reacts violently with hydrogen trisulfide (on ignition), hydrazine hydrate, hydrogen peroxide, hypophosphorous acid, iodine + methanol or ethanol, phospham, acetyl nitrate, S2Cl2, reductants. Incandescent reaction with phospham. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of Hg. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS, IN ORGAN I C .

Potential Exposure

Mercuric oxide is used for wound sealing and canker treatment of fruit and rubber trees; chemical intermediate for mercury salts; organic mercury compounds; chlorine monoxide; as an antiseptic in pharmaceuticals; component of dry cell batteries; pigment and glass modifier; fungicide; preservative in cosmetics; analytical reagent; formerly used in antifouling paints

First aid

Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to mercuric oxide. Evaluate vital signs, including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible. If eye exposure has occurred, remove any contact lenses at once; eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 min. Wash exposed skin areas for 15 min with soap and water. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures in the event of inhalation or ingestion of HgO. Rush to a health-care facility. Antidotes and special procedures for medical personnel: The drug NAP (n-acetyl penicillamine) has been used to treat mercury poisoning, with mixed success. Note to physician: For severe poisoning BAL [British AntiLewisite, dimercaprol, dithiopropanol (C3H8OS2)] has been used to treat toxic symptoms of certain heavy metals poisoning including mercury. Although BAL is reported to have a large margin of safety, caution must be exercised, because toxic effects may be caused by excessive dosage. Most can be prevented by premedication with 1-ephedrine sulfate (CAS: 134-72-5).

storage

Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Store in a secure poison location. Prior to working with this chemical you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, wellventilated area away from chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, hypophosphorous acid, hydrazine hydrate, magnesium (when heated), disulfur dichloride; hydrogen trisulfide, reducing agents. See also “Incompatibilities.”

Shipping

UN1641 Mercuric oxide, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous material

Purification Methods

Dissolve it in HClO4 and precipitate it with NaOH solution. It is yellow when cold and changes to red at ~130o reversibly. POISONOUS.

Incompatibilities

A powerful oxidizer. Decomposes on exposure to light, when heated above 500C, producing highly toxic fumes including mercury and oxygen, which will add to the intensity of an existing fire. Violent reaction with combustible materials; other oxidizers; acetyl nitrate; aluminum, diboron tetrafluoride; reducing agents; phospham, hydrogen trisulfide (on ignition); hydrazine hydrate; hydrogen peroxide; hypophosphorous acid; acetyl nitrate; chlorine, hypophosphorous acid; magnesium (when heated), disulfur dichloride; alcohols, alkali metals (i.e., lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, francium). Forms heat- or impactsensitive explosive mixtures with sulfur, phosphorus and other nonmetals, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and other chemically active metals. Incompatible with strong bases and light