5884. Mercuric Oxycyanide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 1335-31-5
Mercury cyanide oxide.
C2Hg2N2O; mol wt 469.21.
C 5.12%, Hg 85.50%, N 5.97%, O 3.41%.
HgO.Hg(CN)2.

Description and references

For reasons explained below, the article of commerce contains about 33% mercuric oxycyanide and about 67% mercuric cyanide.

Properties

White, orthorhombic crystals or cryst powder d 4.44. One gram dissolves in 80 ml cold water, more sol in hot water. Poisonous. It explodes when touched with a flame or by percussion; hence for commerce it is made with an excess of mercuric cyanide which eliminates the danger of explosion.

Therapeutic Category

Antiseptic (topical).