Mercury nitrate monohydrate

Chemical properties

Mercuric nitrate is a white to yellowish crystalline solid with an odor like nitric acid. Normally exists as the hemihydrate or the dihydrate

The Uses of Mercury nitrate monohydrate

Mercury(II) nitrate is used as an oxidizing agent involved in organic synthesis. Its reaction with acetone yielded an organometallic compound containing mercury. In addition, it serves as a nitrification agent and analytical reagents used in the laboratory. It is involved in the preparation of mercury fulminate.

Potential Exposure

Mercuric nitrate is used in making other chemicals; in felt manufacture and in making mercury fulminate

Shipping

UN1625 Mercuric nitrate, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.

Purification Methods

Its solubility in H2O containing 1% HNO3 is 7.7%. Recrystallise it from a warm saturated solution of dilute HNO3 and cool to room temperature slowly to give elongated prisms. Rapid cooling gives plates. The colourless crystals should be stored in the dark. POISONOUS. [Grdenic J Chem Soc 1312 1956.]

Incompatibilities

A strong oxidizer. Reacts violently with combustibles, petroleum hydrocarbons; reducing agents; aldehydes, ammonia, ketones, phosphorus. Reacts with acetylene, alcohol, phosphine, and sulfur to form shocksensitive compounds. Aqueous solution attacks most metals. Vigorous and dangerous reaction with petroleum hydrocarbons. Incompatible with organic materials; acetylene, ethanol, phosphine, sulfur, hypophosphoric acid. Inorganic mercury compounds are incompatible with acetylene, ammonia, chlorine dioxide; azides, calcium (amalgam formation), sodium carbide; lithium, rubidium, copper. Decomposes in heat or on exposure to light, producing toxic fumes (mercury, nitrogen oxides)