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Ephesian
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HgCl2 a la mr. annonmous
104.56 grams of elemental mercury was added to ~140 ml of conc. HNO3 in a 500ml erlenmyer flask, the addition promoted vigorous bubbling and a huge
exotherm while red NO2 fumes evolved from the reaction flask. The reaction continued for no more than 15 minutes as all of the mercury had already
dissolved into solution. The Hg(NO3)2 solution was then poured into a large beaker and set over a water bath. The Hg(NO3)2 solution was boiled to
dryness over several hours of stirring and prodding with a glass rod. Further heating was applied in order to decompose Hg(NO3)2 to HgO to promote a
light yellow powder (as shown). During the decomposition of Hg(NO3)2 yellow fumes (not so much red) evolved from the contents of the flask.
To the resulting HgO was added ~130ml of conc HCl and the contents stirred with a glass rod until all the HgO went into solution. I might add the
solution was clear but with a yellow undertone (which I assume is residual Hg(NO3)2 that failed to decompose to HgO. The contents were then carefully
boiled down to our final product HgCl2. Yield ~135 grams
Further purification is carefully being considered as the material is safely been stored away in a "corrosive" skull and cross bone container. And I'm
very content with it being there at the moment. A few grains of product were "left behind" on my balance and have made a beautiful amalgam for me to
remember this synthesis by...
Although the chemistry is very elementary. I'll have to agree with magpie, I'm not too sure if Ill try this again, it does indeed seem too risky.
[Edited on 29-8-2012 by Ephesian]
   
[Edited on 29-8-2012 by Ephesian]
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J1nglz
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Please correct me because I know I am wrong. Wouldn't simply heating mercury in an oxygen-enriched flask to 350C create HgO? Would the
oxygen-enrichment be necessary? I don't know of any mercury derivatives containing Hg and nitrogen.
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Rogeryermaw
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Quote: Originally posted by J1nglz  | | Please correct me because I know I am wrong. Wouldn't simply heating mercury in an oxygen-enriched flask to 350C create HgO? Would the
oxygen-enrichment be necessary? I don't know of any mercury derivatives containing Hg and nitrogen. |
i
don't think so but in a few more degrees it would start boiling.
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SM2
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Old ghetto way is to reflux Hg metal in excess Rooto H2S04. It takes ~ an hour, and once it cools, there are long beautiful needles of Mercuric
Sulphate. Separate, add a little Na bicarbonate to bring things near 7, and add a good amount of salt to the mixture. Shake vigorously. Now, you
will have a mixture of various salts of Hg, and it works fine in small amts., for activating Al.
But don't say mercury too much (Shhhhh!), it's a dirty word, so Shhhh! Also don't say asbestos (SHHHHHHH!!!!!) for that is a really dirty word.
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Noshtuba
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Can't you simple add conc HCl to mercury and evaporate the solution? I get it that you d be evaporating HCl but its more straightforward than making
the nitrate then making the oxide then making the chloride no? Also how come mercury chloride sublimates? isnt its boilng point 304 degrees ?
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Metacelsus
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Hydrochloric acid won't react with metallic mercury (see a table of redox potentials).
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