15385-57-6

Basic information

• Product Name: Mercury iodide
• Synonyms: Hg2-I2;mercurousiodide,[solid];Mercury protoiodide;Mercuric iodid;mercurydiiodide;mercuryiodide(hg2i2);mercuryprotoiodide;Yellow mercury iodide
• CAS NO: 15385-57-6
• Molecular Formula: Hg₂I₂
• Molecular Weight: 654.98
• EINECS: 239-409-6
• Product Categories: Materials Science;Mercury Salts;Metal and Ceramic Science;Salts
• Mol File: 15385-57-6.mol
• Article Data: 2

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 290° when rapidly heated with partial decompn into Hg and HgI2
• Boiling Point: 127°Cat760mmHg
• Flash Point: °C
• Appearance: /yellow amorphous powder
• Density: 7.7 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
• Water Solubility: g/L solution H2O: 2.0×10?7 (25°C) [KRU93]; insoluble alcohol, ether [MER06]; soluble castor oil, ammonia [HAW93]
• CAS DataBase Reference: Mercury iodide(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: Mercury iodide(15385-57-6)
• EPA Substance Registry System: Mercury iodide(15385-57-6)

Safety Data

• Hazard Codes: T+,N
• Statements: 26/27/28-33-50/53
• Safety Statements: 13-28-45-60-61
• RIDADR: UN 1638 6.1/PG 2
• WGK Germany: 3
• F: 8
• HazardClass: 6.1(b)
• PackingGroup: III
• Hazardous Substances Data: 15385-57-6(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Mercury iodide is a bright yellow, amorphous powder that becomes greenish upon exposure to light due to disproportionation into metallic mercury and mercuric iodide. It is insoluble in water but soluble in castor oil and aqueous ammonia. The color of mercury iodide changes to dark yellow, orange, and orange-red when heated, and it reverts to yellow upon cooling. It has a density of approximately 7.7 g/cm3 and is toxic by inhalation and ingestion.

Uses

Used in Medicine:
Mercury iodide is used as a topical antibacterial agent in the medical field. Its antimicrobial properties make it effective in treating various skin infections and conditions.
Used in Chemical Synthesis:
Mercury iodide can be produced by precipitation in HgNO3 solution with KI, making it a useful compound in chemical synthesis and reactions.
Used in Research:
Due to its unique properties, such as color changes upon heating and cooling, mercury iodide can be utilized in research to study various chemical and physical phenomena.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

MERCUROUS IODIDE is incompatible with acetylene, ammonia, chlorine dioxide, azides, calcium (amalgam formation), sodium carbide, lithium, rubidium, copper .

Health Hazard

Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways.

InChI:InChI=1/2Hg.2HI/h;;2*1H/q2*+2;;/p-2

Synthetic route

mercury(I) oxide + potassium iodide (7681-11-0) → mercurous iodide (15385-57-6)

Conditions	Yield
In not given freshly pptd. Hg2O reacted with hot KI soln.;
In not given freshly pptd. Hg2O reacted with hot KI soln.;

mercury(II) iodide (7774-29-0) + mercury → mercurous iodide (15385-57-6)

Conditions	Yield
In neat (no solvent) heated at 543 K for 24 h;

mercury(II) iodide + mercury → mercurous iodide (15385-57-6)

Conditions	Yield
In neat (no solvent) excess Hg; 160°C for 70 h; XRD;

phosphonium iodide (164596-64-9) + mercury(I) bromide (10031-18-2) → phosphonium bromide + mercurous iodide (15385-57-6)

Conditions	Yield
In neat (no solvent)
In neat (no solvent)

1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-one (872-50-4) + mercurous iodide (15385-57-6) + benzyl formate (104-57-4) → phenylacetic acid (103-82-2)

Conditions	Yield
With carbon monoxide

mercurous iodide (15385-57-6) + Co(CNC6H4CH3)4I2 (16800-52-5, 22512-50-1, 27055-89-6) → {Co(CNC6H4CH3)5}(1+)*I(1-)*Hg2I2={Co(CNC6H4CH3)5}I*Hg2I2

Conditions	Yield
on react. with excess Hg2I2;;
on react. with excess Hg2I2;;

Upstream product

• 7774-29-0 mercury(II) iodide 
• 164596-64-9 phosphonium iodide 
• 10031-18-2 mercury(I) bromide 
• 7681-11-0 potassium iodide 

Downstream Products

• 103-82-2 phenylacetic acid 

Relevant articles and documents

Reflection and absorption edge spectra in mercurous halide single crystals

The reflection and absorption edge spectra in Hg2I2 and Hg2Br2 single crystals were measured in the visible and near ultraviolet region at various temperatures. The exciton transition of the lowest energy was as