| Uses | Mercury(II) sulfate is an electrolyte for primary batteries. Other applications are in extraction of gold and silver from roasted pyrites; as a catalyst in organic reactions such as conversion of acetylene to acetaldehyde; and as a reagent for wine coloring.
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| Preparation | Mercury(II) sulfate is prepared by heating mercury with an excess of concentrated sulfuric acid; or by dissolving mercury(II) oxide in concentrated sulfuric acid. The solution is evaporated repeatedly to yield anhydrous salt as white leaftlets. However, in the presence of a small amount of water, the monohydrate of the salt, HgSO4•H2O crystallizes as a colorless rhombic prism. Hydrolysis occurs in the presence of a large amount of water, forming a yellow basic sulfate, HgSO4•2HgO.
The compound also is prepared by treating alkali sulfate, such as sodium or potassium sulfate with a solution of mercury(II) nitrate.
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| Reactions | Mercury(II) sulfate on heating first turns yellow and then becomes redbrown. When heated to red heat, it decomposes to mercury, sulfur dioxide, and oxygen.
HgSO4 → Hg + SO4 + O2
Mercury(II) sulfate hydrolyzes in water forming a basic sulfate HgSO4•2HgO. It forms double sulfates with alkali metal sulfates, such as K2SO4•3HgSO4•2H2O.
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| Chemical Properties | White crystals or powder. Mercuric sulphate decomposes on contact with water into yellow insoluble basic sulphate and sulphuric acid. The products of decomposition of mercuric sulphate include oxides of sulphur and oxides of mercury. Mercuric sulphate is incompatible with acetylene, ammonia, and strong acids and corrosive to iron, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, lead, and copper.
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| Chemical Properties | Mercuric sulfate is a white, odorless, crystalline solid |
| Uses | Electrolyte for primary batteries; with NaCl for extracting gold and silver from roasted pyrites; as a reagent for wine coloring, barbital, and cystine. |
| Uses | Mercury(II) sulfate is used for gold and silver extraction, and to make other mercury compounds. Used as catalyst in the conversion of acetylene to acetaldehyde and used as a electrolyte in primary battery. It is commonly used as a catalyst in oxymercuration-demercuration, a type of electrophilic addition reaction. |
| General Description | Odorless white granules or crystalline powder. Denser than water. MERCURY(II) SULFATE is toxic by inhalation and by ingestion. MERCURY(II) SULFATE is used in medicine, for gold and silver extraction, and to make other mercury compounds. |
| Air & Water Reactions | Decomposed by water to yellow mercuric subsulfate and sulfuric acid, which is corrosive. |
| Reactivity Profile | The absorption of gaseous hydrogen chloride on MERCURY(II) SULFATE becomes violent at 125° C [Mellor 2, Supp. 1:462. 1956]. |
| Hazard | Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and
skin absorption. |
| Health Hazard | INHALATION: Acute poisoning: Tightness in chest, breathing difficulty, coughing, and pain. EYES: Ulceration of conjunctiva and cornea. SKIN: Irritation; may cause sensitization dermatitis. INGESTION: Necrosis, pain, vomiting, severe purging. Patient may die within a few hours from peripheral vascular collapse. |
| Fire Hazard | Special Hazards of Combustion Products: None |
| Safety Profile | Poison by ingestion and
intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by
skin contact. When heated to decomposition
it emits very toxic fumes of Hg and SOx. See
also MERCURY COMPOUNDS. |
| Potential Exposure | Mercuric sulfate is used in making
other chemicals; as a battery electrolyte and in extracting
gold and silver from rock |
| Shipping | UN1645 Mercury sulfates, Hazard Class: 6.1;
Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials |
| Incompatibilities | Contact with water produces sulfuric
acide and insoluble basic mercuric subsulfate. Reacts with
acids producing mercury vapors. Violent reaction with gaseous hydrogen chloride above 121C. Decomposes in heat
or on exposure to light, producing toxic fumes of mercury
and sulfur oxides. Attacks magnesium, aluminum, zinc,
iron, lead, copper. |
