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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name Mercuric azanide chloride | |
Other names
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| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChemSpider |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.030.292 |
| UNII | |
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| Properties | |
| Hg(NH2)Cl | |
| Molar mass | 252.065 g/mol |
| Appearance | White powder of small prisms[1] |
| Odor | None[2] |
| Density | 5.7 g/cm3[1] |
| Boiling point | Sublimes[3] |
| 1.4 g/L (cold); decomposes if hot[1] | |
| Solubility | Soluble in warmhydrochloric,nitric andacetic acids,sodium thiosulfate[3] orammonium carbonate solution; insoluble inethanol[2] |
| Pharmacology | |
| D08AK01 (WHO) | |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling:[4] | |
   | |
| Danger | |
| H300,H310,H330,H373,H410 | |
| P260,P262,P264,P270,P271,P273,P280,P284,P301+P316,P302+P352,P304+P340,P316,P319,P320,P321,P330,P361+P364,P391,P403+P233,P405,P501 | |
| Flash point | Non-combustible |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
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| Related compounds | |
Related compounds | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Mercuric amidochloride is aninorganic compound with the formulaHg(NH2)Cl.
It arises from the reaction ofmercury(II) chloride andammonia (Calomel reaction), where the resulting mercuric amidochloride is highly insoluble.
It forms white crystals in the shape of smallprisms. It tastes earthy andmetallic, but is a deadly poison and should not be ingested.[2]
At the molecular level, itorganizes as a zig-zag1-dimensionalpolymer(HgNH2)n withchloride counterions.[5][6]
It is stable inair, but darkens on exposure tolight.[7] It does notmelt, even atdull red heat, instead subliming[3] and decomposing togaseous mercury,hydrogen chloride, andnitrogen oxides.[8] Consequently sealed containers with this chemical may explode when heated.[9]
The substance is a lethalpoison,[2] although not acarcinogen.[10] It is toxic by inhalation, ingestion or dermal absorption. In lesser cases, it may instead causedermatitis andskin lesions[7] orcorrode themucous membranes.[failed verification] If improperly handled, it may cause dangerous environmental pollution, insoil, water bodies, andair.[11]
Addition of base converts it into "Millon's base", named afterEugène Millon, which has the formulaHg2(OH)N·xH2O. A variety of related amido and nitrido materials with chloride, bromide, and hydroxide are known.[12][page needed]
Before the toxicity of mercury was revealed, mercuric amidochloride, then known as "ammoniated mercury" or "white precipitate", was used as atopical skinantiseptic, especially forimpetigo,dermatomycosis and other certain dermatoses.[13] It was also used for scaling inpsoriasis, to treatpruritus ani, and againstpinworm andringworm infection (especially in dogs), againstcrab louse infestation,[7] againstlesions on the body and near eyes, againstbumblefoot infection onpoultry, and as adisinfectant.[11][13] Chronic use of this medication can lead to systemicmercury poisoning. Since less toxic medications are available now, to treat those conditions, there is no need to use mercuric amidochloride as a medication anymore.[7][13]
