white fine crystalline powder
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.
Phenylmercuric chloride has been used as an agricultural fungicide.
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.
