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Mercury(I) acetate

Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mercury(I) acetate, also known as mercurous acetate, is a chemical compound with the chemical formula (CH3COO)2Hg2. It is a colorless crystalline solid in a form of scales or plates.[2]

Quick facts Names, Identifiers ...
Mercury(I) acetate
Mercury(I) acetate molecule
Names
Other names
  • Mercurous acetate[1]
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 211-161-3
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2C2H4O2.2Hg/c2*1-2(3)4;;/h2*1H3,(H,3,4);;/q;;2*+1/p-2
    Key: LTLCGIKWGSDBMN-UHFFFAOYSA-L
  • [Hg]([Hg]OC(C)=O)OC(C)=O
Properties
(CH3COO)2Hg2
Molar mass 519.272 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless monoclinic crystals[2][3]
Density 4.763 g/cm3[4]
Melting point 178–180 °C (352–356 °F; 451–453 K)[2]
0.75 g/100mL (12 °C (54 °F))[2]
Solubility Insoluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, soluble in dilute nitric acid.[2] Soluble in dilute acetic acid.[5]
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Highly toxic
GHS labelling:
GHS06: ToxicGHS07: Exclamation markGHS08: Health hazard
Danger
H301, H311, H316, H317, H341, H361, H370, H372
P203, P260, P262, P264, P270, P272, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P308+P316, P316, P318, P319, P321, P330, P333+P317, P361+P364, P362+P364, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 4: Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. E.g. VX gasFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
4
0
0
Flash point Not flammable[1]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
  • 960 mg/kg (rat, skin)
  • 150 mg/kg (mouse, oral)
  • 10.2 mg/kg (mouse, intraperitoneal)
  • 175 mg/kg (rat, oral)
  • [1]
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Synthesis

Mercury(I) acetate is synthesized by reaction between mercury(I) nitrate and sodium acetate in a water solution of nitric acid.[2]

Hg2(NO3)2 + 2 CH3COONa → (CH3COO)2Hg2 + 2 NaNO3

Structure

Mercury(I) actetate crystallizes as centrosymmetric dimers, with the molecular connectivity H3C−C(=O)−O−Hg−Hg−O−C(=O)−CH3, with Hg-Hg distance of 252.02 pm and Hg-O distance of 215.2 pm. The dimers are connected into infinite ribbons by long, weaker Hg-O bonds (Hg-O distance is 268.02 pm). There are no strong intermolecular forces between the ribbons.[4] Crystals of mercury(I) actetate have a monoclinic unit-cell with the parameters of a = 518 pm, b = 596 pm, c = 1216 pm and β = 100.05°, and contains 2 formula units.[3]

Reactions

Mercury(I) actetate decomposes in boiling water and by light to mercury and mercury(II) acetate.[2]

(CH3COO)2Hg2 → Hg + (CH3COO)2Hg

Mercury(I) acetate reacts with bromine and iodine to form mercury(II) acetate bromide CH3COOHgBr and mercury(II) acetate iodide CH3COOHgI respectively.[6]

(CH3COO)2Hg2 + Br2 → 2 CH3COOHgBr

Hazards

Mercury(I) acetate is a poison. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic vapors of mercury.[2] Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.[1]

References

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