Question about Zinc Mercury amalgam safety for Clemmensen reduction
I was wondering if anybody knows how to safely handle and work with Zn(Hg) zinc mercury amalgam for reducing carbonyls in a Clemmensen reduction?
1) What initial safety precautions should be taken?
2) What is the correct work-up procedure to remove the mercury from the final product?
3) Is there a way to check for residual mercury contamination after?
For disposal, I'm guessing the correct procedure is collecting any mercury contaminated waste in a separate, sealed container and then bringing it to
a waste collection site where they accept mercury waste.
Also, does anybody know if the Clemmensen reduction also reduces other functional groups to the alkane (for instance OH, amines and halogens)?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
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