15385-58-7

Basic information

• Product Name: MERCUROUS BROMIDE
• Synonyms: MERCURY(I) BROMIDE;Hg2Br2;Mercury bromide (Hg2Br2);mercurybromide(hg2br2);dimercury dibromide;MERCURY(I) BROMIDE 99.9+%;Mercury(Ⅰ)bromide;Quecksilber(I)-bromid
• CAS NO: 15385-58-7
• Molecular Formula: Br2Hg2
• Molecular Weight: 560.99
• Mol File: 15385-58-7.mol
• Article Data: 2

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 445 °C(lit.)
• Boiling Point: °Cat760mmHg
• Flash Point: °C
• Appearance: /white tetragonal crystals or powder
• Density: 7.31 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
• Water Solubility: g/L solution H2O: 3.9×10?5 (25°C) [KRU93]; insoluble alcohol, ether [MER06]; soluble in fuming HNO3, hot conc H2SO4 [HAW93]
• CAS DataBase Reference: MERCUROUS BROMIDE(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: MERCUROUS BROMIDE(15385-58-7)
• EPA Substance Registry System: MERCUROUS BROMIDE(15385-58-7)

Safety Data

• Hazard Codes: T+,N
• Statements: 26/27/28-33-50/53
• Safety Statements: 13-28-45-60-61
• RIDADR: UN 1634 6.1/PG 2
• WGK Germany: 3
• HazardClass: 6.1(a)
• PackingGroup: II
• Hazardous Substances Data: 15385-58-7(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Mercurous bromide, also known as calomel, is a white, odorless powder that darkens upon exposure to light. It sublimates at high temperatures and is sensitive to light. It can be decomposed by hot hydrochloric acid (HCl) or alkali bromides and turns yellow when heated, returning to its white color upon cooling. Mercurous bromide is prepared by the oxidation of mercury (Hg) with bromine (Br2) or as a precipitate by adding sodium bromide (NaBr) to a mercury nitrate (HgNO3) solution.

Uses

Used in Pharmaceutical Industry:
Mercurous bromide is used as a pharmaceutical agent for its antiseptic and laxative properties. It has been historically employed in the treatment of various medical conditions, such as syphilis and as a topical application for skin infections due to its antimicrobial properties.
Used in Photography:
In the photography industry, mercurous bromide is used as a light-sensitive compound in the development of photographic films and papers. Its sensitivity to light makes it suitable for this application, allowing for the creation of images when exposed to light.
Used in Chemical Analysis:
Mercurous bromide is utilized as a reagent in chemical analysis, particularly in the determination of halogens and the detection of certain metal ions. Its chemical properties make it a valuable tool in various analytical techniques.
Used in Pesticides:
Mercurous bromide has been used as an ingredient in some pesticide formulations due to its toxic effects on pests. However, its use in this application has been restricted or discontinued in many countries due to environmental and health concerns associated with mercury compounds.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

MERCUROUS BROMIDE is incompatible with the following: Acetylene, ammonia, chlorine dioxide, azides, calcium (amalgam formation), sodium carbide, lithium, rubidium, copper .

Health Hazard

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. 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. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.

InChI:InChI=1S/2BrH.2Hg/h2*1H;;/q;;2*+1/p-2

Upstream product

• 7789-47-1 mercuric bromide 

Related news

MERCUROUS BROMIDE (cas 15385-58-7) acousto-optic devices08/13/2019

Large, good quality single crystals of mercurous bromide (Hg2Br2) were grown by the physical vapor transport method. Velocity of acoustic waves along the 〈110〉 direction was measured to be 273 m/s, indicating the capability of delaying 100 μs long cells which are only 2.73 in aperture. Prelim...detailed

Growth and characterization of mercurous halide crystals: MERCUROUS BROMIDE (cas 15385-58-7) system08/12/2019

Mercurous bromide single crystals were grown by the physical vapor transport method in a sealed quartz tube. Growth rates were measured for crystals growing in different orientations. Experimental data followed the equation lt=l∞−A exp(−t/τ), where lt is the length of the crystal at any time t...detailed

Relevant articles and documents

Raman spectroscopic studies of metal-metal halide molten mixtures: The mercury-mercury(II) halide systems

Raman spectra of molten HgX2-Hg (X = Cl, Br, I) systems have been obtained at compositions up to 30 mol % in Hg from 550 to 818 K. The dissolution of mercury in mercury halides gives rise to resonance-enhanced Raman bands which were interpreted to account for Hg2Xa type molecular species formed in all mercury compositions and Hg3X2 type molecules formed at high mercury mole fractions. Spectra were also obtained from HgX2-HgX′2-Hg (X = F, Cl, Br, I) mixtures and were attributed to mixed mercury(I) (sub)halide molecules Hg2XX′ formed in the melt. The Hg2X2 and Hg2XX′ molecules possess a linear symmetry, and the Hg-Hg stretching frequencies for all 10 molecules were found to be between ～ 180 cm-1 (Hg2F2) and ～ 100 cm-1 (Hg2I2). A linear Hg3 chain is formed in the Hg3X2 molecules bound to two terminal halides. The formation of Hg3 chains was further confirmed by the Raman spectra of Hg3(AlCl4)2 melts. It is suggested that in the melt mixtures intermolecular interactions between HgX2 and Hg2X2 molecules lead to an alteration of oxidation states which account for a hopping like conduction.