Chemical Properties
It is a white to off-white powder with a density of 5.7 g cm⁻³ and decomposes at approximately 383 °C. It is light-sensitive and insoluble in water and ethanol but readily soluble in hot hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and acetic acid. When heated in boiling water, it decomposes to produce mercuric chloride, ammonia, and nitrogen gas.
Uses
Mercury ammonium chloride is an inorganic mercurial compound used in creams as a topical anti-infective agent (formerly used in the treatment of psoriasis and in skin-lightening formulations).
Uses
Anti-infective,
topical.
Preparation
Mercury (II) Amidochloride is prepared by reacting a mercury chloride solution with ammonia water.
General Description
A white crystalline solid. Corrosive to the mucous membranes. Very toxic by inhalation and ingestion.
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly water soluble. Decomposes in hot water.
Reactivity Profile
Aminomercuric chloride is incompatible with acetylene, ammonia, chlorine dioxide, azides, calcium (amalgam formation), sodium carbide, lithium, rubidium, copper .
Health Hazard
The general symptoms are those of mercury poisoning, developing rapidly after ingestion but more slowly after low repeated exposures. Contact with eyes causes irritation and ulceration. Skin contact may cause dermatitis. Ingestion causes pain, vomiting, metallic taste, ulceration of mouth and stomach, pallor, and rapid, weak pulse.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Smoke may contain toxic mercury compounds.
Safety Profile
A poison by ingestion.
Moderately toxic by skin contact. Explosive
reaction with halogens or amine metal
salts. When heated to decomposition it
emits very toxic fumes of Cl-, NOx, and
Hg. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS.
Toxicity evaluation
Mercury (II) amidochloride has been classified as a Group 3 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (27 October 2017); the oral LD₅₀ in rats is 86 mg/kg, and the oral LC₅₀ in mice is 68 mg/kg.
