Chemical Properties
white fine crystalline powder
Uses
The reaction of phenylmercury (II) chloride with acetophenonethiosemicarbazone (Hatsc) in ethanol in 1: 1 mole ratio undergoes symmetrisation forming the products, HgCl2 (Hatse) 2 and Ph2Hg instead of the anticipated compound PhHgCl (Hatse). A new method for the determination of chloride ion is based on the formation of phenylmercury(II) chloride, its extraction into chloroform and reaction with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate to form phenylmercury(II) diethyldithiocarbamate.
Uses
Phenylmercuric chloride has been used as an agricultural fungicide.
Production Methods
Phenylmercury chloride was historically produced through a straightforward electrophilic substitution process in which metallic mercury or mercuric salts were reacted with chlorobenzene under conditions that promote formation of an organomercury bond. Industrial routes typically used mercuric acetate or mercuric oxide as the mercury source; these were first converted into a reactive phenylmercury intermediate, often via treatment with phenyl generating reagents such as diazonium salts, and then chlorinated to yield the final chloride. The crude product was purified by recrystallisation to obtain a stable, white crystalline solid suitable for formulation.
Mechanism of action
Curative. Mercury-based fungicides work by disrupting enzyme activity in fungal cells, leading to cellular dysfunction and death.
Safety Profile
Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes. Human mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition ir emits very toxic fumes of Cland Hg. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS and CHLORIDES.
