Chemical Properties
Colorless scales or plates, decomposed
by boiling water and by light into mercury and mercuric acetate. Slightly soluble in water; insoluble in
alcohol and ether; soluble in dilute nitric acid.
Uses
Medicine (antibacterial).
Hazard
Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and
skin absorption.
Safety Profile
A poison by ingestion
and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic
by skin contact. When heated to
decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Hg.
See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS.
Synthesis
A solution of 20 g of Hg2(NO3)2 in 120 ml of water plus 3.5 ml of 25% HNO3 is treated with 15 g of sodium acetate in 50 ml of H2O. The resultant precipitate is washed with cold water and dried in a desiccator over CaCl2. Yield 13 g.
