Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Mercury(II) nitrate volatility

Bonee - 10-8-2016 at 23:54

I know mercury nitrate sublimes when concentrated under heating, but in practicality how much is it a hazard inhalation wise if it is dissolved in a lot of cold water?

woelen - 11-8-2016 at 01:57

The risk is none. A cold solution of mercury(II) nitrate does not give any dangerous vapors.
Of course, when you handle the dry solid, there is a small risk. The solid can form dust, which can be inhaled. By working carefully and cleanly, the risk of inhaling dust can be minimized.

Btw, a solution of mercury(II) nitrate in water is not clear. You need to add some nitric acid to have a clear solution, otherwise you get hydrolysed species, like HgO.xH2O and basic nitrates, which do not dissolve well.

Deathunter88 - 11-8-2016 at 02:09

Does solid mercury(II) nitrate sublimate as well? I was only aware that solid mercury(II) chloride could sublimate at STP.

woelen - 11-8-2016 at 02:41

No, solid mercury(II) nitrate does not sublimate, at least not noticeably. It is an ionic compound and hence cannot easily sublimate. Mercury(II) chloride is covalent and that is the reason that it can sublimate more easily.

hissingnoise - 11-8-2016 at 04:30

A solid substance sublimes and the deposited solid is the sublimate!

When will people learn?

Bonee - 11-8-2016 at 06:45

Quote: Originally posted by woelen  
The risk is none. A cold solution of mercury(II) nitrate does not give any dangerous vapors.
Of course, when you handle the dry solid, there is a small risk. The solid can form dust, which can be inhaled. By working carefully and cleanly, the risk of inhaling dust can be minimized.

Btw, a solution of mercury(II) nitrate in water is not clear. You need to add some nitric acid to have a clear solution, otherwise you get hydrolysed species, like HgO.xH2O and basic nitrates, which do not dissolve well.


Thank you for reply and my bad, of course the solution contains HNO3 as well.

Deathunter88 - 11-8-2016 at 07:51

Quote: Originally posted by hissingnoise  
A solid substance sublimes and the deposited solid is the sublimate!

When will people learn?



When I look up "sublimate" on the Apple dictionary, it says "verb, another term for sublime" so I think its OK.