Mercury(II) Sulfide Precipitation (Vermilion)

HgCl₂ + Na₂S → HgS↓ + 2NaCl

Descripción general

Mercury(II) chloride reacts with sodium sulfide to form a black precipitate of mercury(II) sulfide (Ksp = 2 × 10⁻⁵²), the most insoluble compound commonly encountered. The black form (metacinnabar) slowly converts to the red form (cinnabar/vermilion) upon heating. HgS is so insoluble it is considered environmentally immobile.

Participantes

Rol	Sustancia	Coeficiente	Estado
Producto	Sodium Chloride NaCl	2	(aq)

Ejemplo cotidiano

Vermilion pigment, prized since antiquity for its brilliant red color in Chinese lacquerware and Renaissance paintings, is red mercury sulfide.

Importancia industrial

El sulfuro de mercurio como cinabrio es el principal mineral de mercurio. La inmovilización de HgS se usa en la estabilización de residuos de mercurio por su extrema insolubilidad.

Propiedades

Tipo: Precipitation
Reversible: No
Energía: Exotérmico
ΔH: -83,0 kJ/mol

Reacciones relacionadas

Aluminum Hydroxide Precipitation Barium Carbonate Precipitation Barium Sulfate Precipitation Cadmium Sulfide Precipitation (Yellow) Calcium Fluoride Precipitation (Fluorite) Calcium Phosphate Precipitation (Bone Mineral) Chromium(III) Hydroxide Precipitation Lead Carbonate Precipitation Lead Chloride Precipitation Iron(III) Hydroxide Precipitation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Mercury(II) Sulfide Precipitation (Vermilion)?

The balanced equation is: HgCl₂ + Na₂S → HgS↓ + 2NaCl.

What type of reaction is Mercury(II) Sulfide Precipitation (Vermilion)?

Mercury(II) Sulfide Precipitation (Vermilion) is a precipitation reaction.

Is Mercury(II) Sulfide Precipitation (Vermilion) exothermic or endothermic?

Mercury(II) Sulfide Precipitation (Vermilion) is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -83.0 kJ/mol.