Mercuric amidochloride

Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mercuric amidochloride is an inorganic compound with the formula Hg(NH2)Cl.

Quick facts Names, Identifiers ...
Mercuric amidochloride
Names
IUPAC name
Mercuric azanide chloride
Other names
  • Aminomercuric chloride
  • Ammoniated mercuric chloride
  • Ammoniated mercury
  • Mercuric amidochloride
  • Mercury(II) amide chloride
  • Mercury(II) amidochloride
  • Mercury(II) azanide chloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.030.292 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/ClH.Hg.H2N/h1H;;1H2/q;+2;-1/p-1 checkY
    Key: WRWRKDRWMURIBI-UHFFFAOYSA-M checkY
  • InChI=1/ClH.Hg.H2N/h1H;;1H2/q;+2;-1/p-1/rClH2HgN/c1-2-3/h3H2
    Key: WRWRKDRWMURIBI-CUFRCDTJAQ
  • Cl[Hg]N
Properties
Hg(NH2)Cl
Molar mass 252.07 g·mol−1
Appearance White powder of small prisms[1]
Odor None[2]
Density 5.7 g/cm3 (at 20 °C (68 °F; 293 K)) [1]
Boiling point Sublimes[3]
1.4 g/L (cold[quantify]); decomposes if hot[1]
Solubility Soluble in sodium thiosulfate or ammonium carbonate solution.[3][2]
Solubility in nitric acid soluble in warm
Solubility in hydrochloric acid soluble in warm
Solubility in acetic acid soluble in warm
Pharmacology
D08AK01 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:[4]
GHS06: ToxicGHS08: Health hazardGHS09: Environmental hazard
Danger
H300+H310+H330, H373, H410
P262, P264, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340+P310
Flash point Non-combustible
0.025 mg/m3[5] (TWA)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
  • 86 mg/kg (rat, oral)
  • 1325 mg/kg (rat, skin)[4]
0.051 mg/L (inhalation, 4h, dust/mist)[4]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):[6]
PEL (Permissible)
 0.1 mg/m3 (TWA)
REL (Recommended)
 0.1 mg/m3 (C, skin, as Hg)
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 10 mg/m3 (as Hg)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)
Close

Preparation and properties

It arises from the reaction of mercury(II) chloride and ammonia (Calomel reaction), where the resulting mercuric amidochloride is highly insoluble.[citation needed]

It forms white crystals in the shape of small prisms. It has been described as having an earthy, metallic flavor.[2]

At the molecular level, it organizes as a zig-zag one-dimensional polymer (HgNH2)n with chloride counterions.[7][8]

Eli Lilly & Company - Ointment No. 8 - Ammoniated Mercury 10%

It is stable in air, but darkens on exposure to light.[9] It does not melt, even at dull red heat, instead subliming and decomposing to gaseous mercury, hydrogen chloride, and nitrogen oxides.[3][10] Consequently sealed containers with this chemical may explode when heated.[11]

The substance is a lethal poison.[2] It is toxic by inhalation, ingestion or dermal absorption. In lesser cases,[which?] it may instead cause dermatitis and skin lesions[9] or corrode the mucous membranes.[failed verification]

Addition of base converts it into "Millon's base", named after Eugène Millon, which has the formula Hg2(OH)N·xH2O. A variety of related amido and nitrido materials with chloride, bromide, and hydroxide are known.[12][page needed]

Uses

Before the toxicity of mercury was revealed,[when?] mercuric amidochloride, then known as ammoniated mercury or white precipitate, was used as a topical skin antiseptic, especially for impetigo, dermatomycosis and other certain dermatoses.[13]

It was also used for scaling in psoriasis, to treat pruritus ani, and against pinworm and ringworm infection (especially in dogs), against crab louse infestation, against lesions on the body and near eyes, against bumblefoot infection on poultry, and as a disinfectant.[9][13]

Chronic use of this medication can lead to systemic mercury poisoning.[9]

See also

  • Merbromin, also known as "Mercurochrome", another antiseptic mercury compound
  • Thiomersal, another antiseptic mercury compound

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI