Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Mercury Components

Waffles SS - 23-3-2011 at 13:14

I decide to create this topic for prepare,analysis,.. of Mercury components.


First myself looking for good way for making Mercury(II) Acetate
As you know it should be prepare by action of acetic acid on Mercury(II) Oxide,but this is difficult to prepare Mercury(II) oxide.

HgO +2AcOH = Hg(OAc)2 + H2O

I decide to make Mercury Acetate from Mercury Hydroxide and Acetic acid,Mercury Hydroxide will be prepared by action of Sodium Hydroxide on Mercury(II) Nitrate solution
I need to know solubility of Mercury Acetate in water??!!

bahamuth - 23-3-2011 at 13:47

Mercuric acetate MSDS


Guess you already know how toxic the divalent organomercury compounds are, and what a horrible end those how do not meet.

Though not the compound you seek, but should give a scare: dimethylmercury poisoning

Things to do while the commercials are running ...

The WiZard is In - 23-3-2011 at 15:52

Look in a two books -

It is not very soluble in water.

Another route —

"Alternatively, the compound may be prepared by reacting mercury
metal with peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide (50%) dissolved
in acetic acid under careful temperature control."

ScienceSquirrel - 23-3-2011 at 16:13

Dimethyl mercury is a lot more easily absorbed and toxic than mercury acetate.
If you are handling mercury compounds in a home lab then it should be done on a small scale with good containment.

bahamuth - 23-3-2011 at 17:00

Quote: Originally posted by The WiZard is In  
Look in a two books -

It is not very soluble in water.



Merck Index 14th Edition list it as 1 gram soluble in 2.5 mL cold water, and 1 gram in 1 mL boiling water.
Also mentions that it decomposes in water on standing yielding a yellow precipitate.

As a rule of thumb it is the monovalent mercury compounds that are insoluble/hard dissolve in water..




Waffles SS - 23-3-2011 at 23:18

Quote: Originally posted by The WiZard is In  


"Alternatively, the compound may be prepared by reacting mercury
metal with peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide (50%) dissolved
in acetic acid under careful temperature control."


I dont know what method is bettet and easier:

Action of Mercury on peracetic acid or Mercury Hydroxide on Acetic acid,but i am not sure that Mercury acetate decompose in water!

Post in haste - correct at leisue

The WiZard is In - 24-3-2011 at 09:42

Quote: Originally posted by The WiZard is In  
Look in a two books -

It is not very soluble in water.

I has looking at mercurous sulphate. 0.06 gm/100g at 25o.

Mercuric acetate is as was posted.

Per la Merck Index.14th Ed. 1g in — 2.5ml cold water, 1ml boiling water.

WARNING- DANGER

HHammerHeadD - 27-3-2011 at 04:40

Quote: Originally posted by Waffles SS  
...
I decide to make Mercury Acetate from Mercury Hydroxide and Acetic acid,Mercury Hydroxide will be prepared by action of Sodium Hydroxide on Mercury(II) Nitrate solution
I need to know solubility of Mercury Acetate in water??!!


if you are making the only known medical use for mercury, you may be on to something...it is the only known drug for to treat the disease, syphalis..sp.
and if you do not have a valid use for the acetate, other than to prove you can do it, you may be cutting your own lifespan short.

gsd - 27-3-2011 at 17:53

Quote: Originally posted by Waffles SS  
I decide to create this topic for prepare,analysis,.. of Mercury components.

Mercury Hydroxide will be prepared by action of Sodium Hydroxide on Mercury(II) Nitrate solution......................



I think you should first get your understanding of basic Inorganic Chemistry right.

Action of NaOH on Hg(NO3)2 will get you HgO not Hg(OH)2

gsd

gsd - 27-3-2011 at 18:02

Quote: Originally posted by HHammerHeadD  

if you are making the only known medical use for mercury, you may be on to something...it is the only known drug for to treat the disease, syphalis..sp.
and if you do not have a valid use for the acetate, other than to prove you can do it, you may be cutting your own lifespan short.


I am amused by the scare mongering peddled by the so called people with scientific inclination who obviously have not had any personal experience of handling Mercury compounds.

And BTW Mercurochrome (Merbromin) was a very potent and effective topical antiseptic used till recently. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merbromin

gsd

Waffles SS - 28-3-2011 at 06:02

Quote: Originally posted by gsd  
Quote: Originally posted by Waffles SS  
I decide to create this topic for prepare,analysis,.. of Mercury components.

Mercury Hydroxide will be prepared by action of Sodium Hydroxide on Mercury(II) Nitrate solution......................



I think you should first get your understanding of basic Inorganic Chemistry right.

Action of NaOH on Hg(NO3)2 will get you HgO not Hg(OH)2

gsd

Sorry for my mistake
Did you tried it?
I want to use it as catalyst for acetylene reactions(for prepare Ethylidene diacetate)

[Edited on 28-3-2011 by Waffles SS]

gsd - 28-3-2011 at 06:30

Yes I have.

Making HgO from Hg, HNO3 and NaOH is fairly simple.
React Hg with excess dilute HNO3, complete the reaction by boiling. (Fume Hood is mandatory)

Cool and filter (if required) Hg(NO3)2 solution and then slowly add with stirring caustic lye to it. Bright yellow oxide precipitates immediately. Wash it thoroughly with water till neutral to pH.

Note - if nitric is not used in excess then you will get mercurous nitrate which will lead to black mercurous oxide with caustic.

Gsd