Mercury(I) acetate
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3D model (JSmol)
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| (CH3COO)2Hg2 | |
| Molar mass | 519.272 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Colorless monoclinic crystals[2][3] |
| Density | 4.763 g/cm3[4] |
| Melting point | 178–180 °C (352–356 °F; 451–453 K)[2] |
| 0.75 g/100mL (12 °C (54 °F))[2] | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, soluble in dilute nitric acid.[2] Soluble in dilute acetic acid.[5] |
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Main hazards
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Highly toxic |
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| Danger | |
| H301, H311, H316, H317, H341, H361, H370, H372 | |
| P203, P260, P262, P264, P270, P272, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P308+P316, P316, P318, P319, P321, P330, P333+P317, P361+P364, P362+P364, P405, P501 | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | Not flammable[1] |
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LD50 (median dose)
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
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Mercury(I) acetate, also known as mercurous acetate, is a chemical compound with the chemical formula (CH3COO)2Hg2. It is a colorless crystalline solid in a form of scales or plates.[2]
Synthesis
Mercury(I) acetate is synthesized by reaction between mercury(I) nitrate and sodium acetate in a water solution of nitric acid.[2]
- Hg2(NO3)2 + 2 CH3COONa → (CH3COO)2Hg2 + 2 NaNO3
Structure
Mercury(I) actetate crystallizes as centrosymmetric dimers, with the molecular connectivity H3C−C(=O)−O−Hg−Hg−O−C(=O)−CH3, with Hg-Hg distance of 252.02 pm and Hg-O distance of 215.2 pm. The dimers are connected into infinite ribbons by long, weaker Hg-O bonds (Hg-O distance is 268.02 pm). There are no strong intermolecular forces between the ribbons.[4] Crystals of mercury(I) actetate have a monoclinic unit-cell with the parameters of a = 518 pm, b = 596 pm, c = 1216 pm and β = 100.05°, and contains 2 formula units.[3]
Reactions
Mercury(I) actetate decomposes in boiling water and by light to mercury and mercury(II) acetate.[2]
- (CH3COO)2Hg2 → Hg + (CH3COO)2Hg
Mercury(I) acetate reacts with bromine and iodine to form mercury(II) acetate bromide CH3COOHgBr and mercury(II) acetate iodide CH3COOHgI respectively.[6]
- (CH3COO)2Hg2 + Br2 → 2 CH3COOHgBr
Hazards
Mercury(I) acetate is a poison. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic vapors of mercury.[2] Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d PubChem. "Mercurous acetate". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "MERCURY(I) ACETATE | 631-60-7". ChemicalBook. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b Puff, H.; Lorbacher, G.; Skrabs, R. (1 October 1965). "Kristallographische Daten von Quecksilber(I)-acetat". Zeitschrift für Kristallographie. 122 (1–2): 156–158. doi:10.1524/zkri.1965.122.1-2.156. Retrieved 6 March 2026 – via www.degruyterbrill.com.
- ^ a b Prior, T. J. (1 August 2005). "A synchrotron study of mercury(I) acetate". Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online. 61 (8): m1523–m1524. doi:10.1107/S160053680502163X. Retrieved 6 March 2026 – via journals.iucr.org.
- ^ "Acetic acid, mercury salt (1:1)". www.chemspider.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Rastogi, R. P.; Dubey, B. L.; Agrawal, N. D. (1 May 1975). "Mixed halides of mercury (II)". Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry. 37 (5): 1167–1172. doi:10.1016/0022-1902(75)80463-5. Retrieved 6 March 2026 – via ScienceDirect.