13-05902. Mercuric Chloride, Ammoniated [Archived]

Nomenclature

CAS number: 10124-48-8
Mercury amide chloride; aminomercuric chloride; mercury ammonium chloride; ammoniated mercury; white precipitate; white mercuric precipitate.
ClH2HgN; mol wt 252.07.
Cl 14.06%, H 0.80%, Hg 79.58%, N 5.56%.
HgNH2Cl.

Description and references

Prepn: Sen, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 33, 197 (1903); Wagenknecht, Juza in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol 2, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1965) p 1114.

Properties

Odorless powder; d 5.38; earthy, styptic, metallic taste. Poisonous! Volatile without melting at dull red heat. Insol in water or alcohol. Sol in warm HCl, HNO3, acetic acid, in cold soln ammonium carbonate or sodium thiosulfate. Incompat: Not to be used in conjunction with sulfur or iodine.

Caution

May produce allergic dermatitis; prolonged use may cause local pigmentation of skin or eyelids. Absorption following vigorous dermal application has been reported with resulting ptyalism. Oral ingestion causes epigastric pain, nausea, purging. Antidote: Dimercaprol (BAL). Note: French “White Precipitate” (Precipité Blanc) is calomel. Do not confuse the two when French prescriptions are filled.

Therapeutic Category

Anti-infective (topical).

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Anti-infective (topical).

Keywords

Antiseptic/Disinfectant; Mercurial compounds

Status

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