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Mercuric amidochloride
Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mercuric amidochloride is an inorganic compound with the formula Hg(NH2)Cl.
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Preparation and properties
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It arises from the reaction of mercury(II) chloride and ammonia (Calomel reaction), where the resulting mercuric amidochloride is highly insoluble.
It forms white crystals in the shape of small prisms. It tastes earthy and metallic, but is a deadly poison and should not be ingested.[2]
At the molecular level, it organizes as a zig-zag 1-dimensional polymer (HgNH2)n with chloride counterions.[5][6]
It is stable in air, but darkens on exposure to light.[7] It does not melt, even at dull red heat, instead subliming[3] and decomposing to gaseous mercury, hydrogen chloride, and nitrogen oxides.[8] Consequently sealed containers with this chemical may explode when heated.[9]
The substance is a lethal poison,[2] although not a carcinogen.[10] It is toxic by inhalation, ingestion or dermal absorption. In lesser cases, it may instead cause dermatitis and skin lesions[7] or corrode the mucous membranes.[failed verification] If improperly handled, it may cause dangerous environmental pollution, in soil, water bodies, and air.[11]
Addition of base converts it into "Millon's base", named after Eugène Millon, which has the formula Hg2(OH)N·xH2O. A variety of related amido and nitrido materials with chloride, bromide, and hydroxide are known.[12][page needed]
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Uses
Before the toxicity of mercury was revealed, mercuric amidochloride, then known as "ammoniated mercury" or "white precipitate", was used as a topical skin antiseptic, especially for impetigo, dermatomycosis and other certain dermatoses.[13] It was also used for scaling in psoriasis, to treat pruritus ani, and against pinworm and ringworm infection (especially in dogs), against crab louse infestation,[7] against lesions on the body and near eyes, against bumblefoot infection on poultry, and as a disinfectant.[11][13] Chronic use of this medication can lead to systemic mercury poisoning. Since less toxic medications are available now, to treat those conditions, there is no need to use mercuric amidochloride as a medication anymore.[7][13]
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See also
- Merbromin, also known as "Mercurochrome", another antiseptic mercury compound
- Thiomersal, another antiseptic mercury compound
References
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