Sciencemadness Discussion Board

mercury chloride

morsagh - 3-4-2014 at 11:05

How can i make HgCl2 from mercury?
Can be Hg+HCl+H2O2?

numos - 3-4-2014 at 11:37

"Mercuric chloride is obtained by the action of chlorine on mercury or mercury(I) chloride, by the addition of hydrochloric acid to a hot, concentrated solution of mercury(I) compounds such as the nitrate:
HgNO3 + 2 HCl → HgCl2 + H2O + NO2"

-Wikipedia

forgottenpassword - 3-4-2014 at 11:42

From what I gather, the easiest route from elemental mercury would be to form the mercury (II) sulphate by adding it to sulfuric acid, then mixing the sulphate intimately with sodium chloride and heating the mixture to cause sublimation of pure mercury (II) chloride.

[Edited on 3-4-2014 by forgottenpassword]

Steam - 3-4-2014 at 11:49

Quote: Originally posted by forgottenpassword  
From what I gather, the easiest route from elemental mercury would be to form the mercury (II) sulphate by adding it to sulfuric acid, then mixing the sulphate intimately with sodium chloride and heating the mixture to cause sublimation of pure mercury (II) chloride.

[Edited on 3-4-2014 by forgottenpassword]


Or try concentrated HCl rather than NaCl, purification will be slightly easier.

Zephyr - 3-4-2014 at 12:49

The reaction between mercury sulfate and sodium chloride is;

HgSO4+2NaCl ---> HgCl2 + Na2SO4

This reaction is simpler and safer that mercury sulfate and HCl, and also uses easier available chemicals. Purification by recrystalization would also be simpler than seperating the sulfuric acid from the mercury chloride.

forgottenpassword - 3-4-2014 at 13:17

As I understand it, heating a mixture of the two powders (mercury sulphate and sodium chloride) in a DRY state will evolve mercury (II) chloride vapour which can be collected directly. Heating the mixture in a glass petri dish should allow the sublimed pure compound to be collected in the usual fashion. I do not speak from experience, only what I have read.

HgSO4

morsagh - 3-4-2014 at 22:49

I haven´t got concentrated sulfuric acid. And i don´t want to sublime anything with mercury or do anything with chlorine.
Can be used hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid?:(

Ephesian - 4-4-2014 at 05:45

There are many old threads for this preparation. The nitric acid method is a very facile approach to the production of water soluable mercury salts. I have done both methods myself and using H2SO4 route is not a route I would advise anyone into doing

forgottenpassword - 4-4-2014 at 06:30

Quote: Originally posted by morsagh  
I haven´t got concentrated sulfuric acid. And i don´t want to sublime anything with mercury or do anything with chlorine.
Can be used hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid?:(

It would be worthwhile to look through this thread: http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=20959
Dilute sulphuric acid will work since it is itself concentrated as the mixture is heated. I understand your reluctance to generate any mercury-containing vapour, but sublimation is by its nature done in a closed environment, and should pose little risk; especially if done outside (besides, mercury (II) chloride has been used an an antiseptic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBNELFi5XiY

Here is a thread which details its preparation via the nitrate:
http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=597

If you need a pure and anhydrous sample then I think that sublimation would be worth considering. Here: http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s... is the reference given for its preparation from mercury sulfate and sodium chloride by direct heating.
(Drying the product from an aqueous solution is also complicated by the fact that it sublimes, and you may unknowingly expose yourself to a lot of the vapour as it dries, if left in the open or in a warm environment).

[Edited on 4-4-2014 by forgottenpassword]

Fantasma4500 - 4-4-2014 at 07:00

electrolysis using mercury as anode perhaps?

i recall its used for molten NaCl however, where the mercury is distilled off then recollected to be used as constantly running anode.. so perhaps its not that reactive towards chlorine afterall..

perhaps make mercury carbonate then react that with HCl
it should be easy to make from any given mercury salt thats soluble and baking soda solution