Substance profile
Mercuric Chloride
Mercuric Chloride is colorless rhombic crystals or white powder and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Mercuric Chloride is
Mercuric Chloride is colorless rhombic crystals or white powder and is odorless. Its molecular formula is Cl2Hg and its molecular weight is 271.5 g/mol. It boils at 302 °C, melts at 277 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
Other names for Mercuric Chloride
- mercury dichloride
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H361f | Suspected of damaging fertility. |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P270, P273, P280, P301, P308, P310, P313, P314, P330, P331, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Mercuric Chloride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 302 °C (575.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 302.22 °C (576 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 277 °C (530.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 276.11 °C (529 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 276 °C (528.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 5.4 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 5.6 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 5.44 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | 4 G/100 CC ETHER | HSDB | |
| 6.9 g/100 cc water @ 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 33 G/100 CC ALCOHOL @ 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0007501 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 1 mmHg | at 136.2 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 9.8 g/cu cm | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosion rate: 0.0003 mm/yr (1% concn) at 100 °C; 0.01 mm/yr (5% concn) at 100 °C; 0.001 mm/yr (10% concn) at 100 °C. ... relative to titanium | at 100 °C | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Mercuric Chloride
Incompatible materials
MIXTURE OF POTASSIUM & ANY OF FOLLOWING METALLIC HALIDES PRODUCES STRONG EXPLOSION ON IMPACT: ... MERCURIC CHLORIDE ...
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
MERCURIC CHLORIDE is decomposed by sunlight. Incompatible with formates, sulfites, hypophosphites, phosphates, sulfides, albumin, gelatin, alkalis, alkaloid salts, ammonia, lime water, antimony, arsenic, bromides, borax, carbonates, reduced iron, iron, copper, lead and silver salts, infusions of cinchona, oak bark or senna, tannic acids and vegetable astringents. (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Mercuric Chloride in the storage compatibility matrix →