Mercury(I) Chloride

Hg₂Cl₂

IUPAC: Dimercury(I) dichloride

CAS: 10112-91-1

Overview

Calomel (Hg₂Cl₂) was historically used as a medicine, laxative, and teething powder despite its toxicity. It is now mainly used in electrochemistry as a reference electrode.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Chlorine Cl 2 35.4500
Mercury Hg 2 200.5900

Elemental Composition

Cl
Chlorine ×2
15.0%
Hg
Mercury ×2
85.0%

Uses

  • • Calomel reference electrode
  • • Historical medicine (no longer used)

Fun Facts

  • ✦ The calomel electrode was the standard reference electrode in electrochemistry for most of the 20th century

Safety

  • ⚠ Toxic mercury compound
  • ⚠ Cumulative mercury poisoning

Structure

SMILES

Cl[Hg].Cl[Hg]

Properties

Type
salt
State
solid
Molar Mass
472.09 g/mol
Density
7.1500 g/cm³
Melting Point
383.0 °C
Solubility
0.002 g/L at 25°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
471.8767
TPSA
0.0 Ų
H-Bond Donors
0
H-Bond Acceptors
0
Rotatable Bonds
0
Heavy Atoms
4
Complexity
4.0

Related Compounds

Ammonium Bicarbonate

NH₄HCO₃

Ammonium Chloride

NH₄Cl

Ammonium Sulfate

(NH₄)₂SO₄

Barium Carbonate

BaCO₃

Barium Chloride

BaCl₂

Barium Sulfate

BaSO₄

Cadmium Sulfide

CdS

Calcium Acetate

Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO₃

Calcium Citrate

Ca₃(C₆H₅O₇)₂

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mercury(I) Chloride?
Mercury(I) Chloride (Hg₂Cl₂) is a salt compound with the IUPAC name Dimercury(I) dichloride.
What is the molecular weight of Mercury(I) Chloride?
Mercury(I) Chloride has a molar mass of 472.09 g/mol.
What state is Mercury(I) Chloride at room temperature?
Mercury(I) Chloride is a solid at room temperature.
Is Mercury(I) Chloride organic or inorganic?
Mercury(I) Chloride is classified as an inorganic compound.
What elements make up Mercury(I) Chloride?
Mercury(I) Chloride (Hg₂Cl₂) is composed of Chlorine (Cl), Mercury (Hg).