Mercury (II) Sulfate Formula
Mercury II Sulfate Formula is essentially a compound. Mercury II Sulfate Formula is solid with no odour and it only forms in a state of white granules or crystalline powder. The Japanese chemical company Chisso started using Mercury II Sulfate Formula in 1932. It had been used as a catalyst for the assembling of acetaldehyde from acetylene and water. There were exposure and consumption of all the waste products in Minamata bay and that included methylmercury which is widely believed to be the primary and exclusive reason for the spread of the disease in Japan. During this chapter, the Mercury II Sulfate Formula will be discussed with all its properties, its uses, its health issues and all the measures that can be taken by people to deal with the effects of the chemical.
Mercury (II) sulfate Formula Structure
Mercury II Sulfate Formula is a very toxic and highly corrosive compound that can be formed using mercury. The compound is utilized in various chemical reactions, though it is almost exclusively used in Analytical Chemistry.
Chemical Mercury (II) Sulfate Formula = HgSO4
The simplified molecular-input line-entry system(SMILES) = [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Hg+2]
Properties Of Mercury (II) sulfate Formula
It appears as a substance without any discernible smell and is formed as white granules or crystalline powder. The Mercury II Sulfate Formula is denser than water. And it is highly for someone who ingested or inhaled it. Its molar mass of it is 296.653 g/mol.
Chemical Properties
Mercury II Sulfate Formula completely hydrolyses in the presence of water, separating into the yellow mercuric sub-sulfate and vitriol which finally gives the following reaction,
3HgSO4 + 2H2O → HgSO4·2HgO + 2H2SO4
When Mercury II Sulfate Formula is directly heated above 450 °C, it can cause it to decompose and releases lethal mercury vapours
HgSO4 → Hg + SO2+ O2
Physical Properties
Mercury II Sulfate Formula is a dense white solid. It is fully soluble in highly concentrated mineral acids, like aqua fortis and vitriol. It is completely insoluble in all organic solvents. Thus the Mercury II Sulfate Formula hydrolyses when it is made to react with water, forming yellow mercuric sub-sulfate and vitriol. It thermally decomposes when heated to 450 °C. Its density at normal conditions is 6.47 g/cm3.
Preparation of Mercury (II) Sulfate
Preparation of it is done with the reaction of hot concentrated sulfuric acid with elemental mercury
Hg + 2 H2SO4 → HgSO4 + SO2 + 2H2O
The reaction of mercuric oxide with concentrated sulfuric acid gives Mercury II Sulfate Formula in this process only concentrated acids are used to cease the process of hydrolysis.
HgO + H2SO4 → HgSO4 + H2O
The products are heavily used in medicine, for the extraction of and also to form other mercury compounds. The use of it is in the synthesis and removal of chloride ions in various kinds of analysis like the COD analysis.
Health Issues and Preventive Measures
If the Mercury II Sulfate Formula is inhaled then it may result in acute poisoning which can cause tightness inside the chest. It may also result in breathing issues which can cause coughing and pain. Severe exposure to Mercury II Sulfate Formula in the eyes can cause ulcers in the cornea which can cause blindness. If Mercury II Sulfate Formula is exposed to the skin it can cause various reactions because it is sensitive to the skin.
Exposure to mercury compounds can cause severe damage to the person. When the Mercury II Sulfate Formula reacts with water produces vitriol, which is highly corrosive, the salt that is formed in the reaction or even when it is in a form of a solution is highly corrosive to several metals like aluminium, copper, iron (most steels), lead, magnesium, zinc, etc.
Solved Example
Students can learn a lot more about the Mercury II Sulfate Formula on the Extramarks website.