12-05955. Mercurous Oxide [Archived]

Nomenclature

CAS number: 15829-53-5
Mercury oxide black.

Description and references

No evidence that Hg2O has been isolated. X-ray data shows that solid formed by addition of sodium hydroxide to mercurous nitrate is an intimate mixture of mercury and mercuric oxide: Fricke, Ackemann, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 211, 233 (1933).

Properties

Black or brownish-black powder. d 9.8. Insol in water. Sol in HNO3. HCl converts it into calomel. Protect from light.

Status

This monograph has been retired and is no longer subject to revision or update.