Mercuric amidochloride

Mercuric amidochloride is an inorganic compound with the formula Hg(NH2)Cl.

"Millon's base" redirects here. For the analytical reagent used to detect the presence of soluble proteins, see Millon's reagent.
Mercuric amidochloride
Names
IUPAC name
Mercuric azanide chloride
Other names
  • Aminomercuric chloride
  • Ammoniated mercuric chloride
  • Ammoniated mercury
  • Mercuric amidochloride
  • Mercury(II) amide chloride
  • Mercury(II) amidochloride
  • Mercury(II) azanide chloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.030.292
UNII
  • InChI=1S/ClH.Hg.H2N/h1H;;1H2/q;+2;-1/p-1 checkY
    Key: WRWRKDRWMURIBI-UHFFFAOYSA-M checkY
  • InChI=1/ClH.Hg.H2N/h1H;;1H2/q;+2;-1/p-1/rClH2HgN/c1-2-3/h3H2
    Key: WRWRKDRWMURIBI-CUFRCDTJAQ
  • Cl[Hg]N
Properties
Hg(NH2)Cl
Molar mass 252.065 g/mol
Appearance White crystalline solid or white amorphous powder[1]
Odor Odorless[1]
Density 5.56 g/cm3
Boiling point Sublimes[1]
0.14 g in 100 mL of cold water
100 g in 100 mL of hot water (decomposes)[1]
Solubility Soluble in warm hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and acetic acid, insoluble in ethanol[1]
Pharmacology
D08AK01 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:[1]
GHS06: ToxicGHS08: Health hazardGHS09: Environmental hazard
Danger
H300, H310, H330, H373, H410
P260, P262, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P316, P319, P320, P321, P330, P361+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501
Flash point Non-combustible
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
  • 86 mg/kg (rat, oral)
  • 1325 mg/kg (rat, skin)
  • 7.5 mg/kg (mouse, intraperitoneal)
  • 68 mg/kg (mouse, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)
Infobox references

Preparation and properties

It arises from the reaction of mercury(II) chloride and ammonia (Calomel reaction), where the resulting mercuric amidochloride is highly insoluble.

HgCl2 + 2 NH3 → HgCl(NH2) + [NH4]Cl

It forms white crystals in the shape of small prisms, which have earthy metallic taste.[1]It consists of a zig-zag 1-dimensional polymer (HgNH2)n with chloride counterions.[2][3]

It is stable in air, but darkens on exposure to light. Sublimes without melting at dull red heat.[1]

This substance is a deadly poison. If improperly handled, may cause dangerous environmental pollution, in soil, water bodies and air. When heated to decomposition, emits very toxic and irritating fumes of hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, and mercury, thus, closed containers with this chemical may explode upon contact with heat. It is very toxic by inhalation, ingestion or contact with skin and its toxicity may be fatal. May cause dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris. It is corrosive to the mucous membranes. It is not classified as a carcinogen in humans.[1]

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.[4]

Uses

Before the toxicity of mercury was revealed, mercuric amidochloride, then known as "ammoniated mercury", was used as a topical skin antiseptic, especially impetigo, dermatomycosis and other certain dermatoses. It was also used for scaling in psoriasis, to treat pruritus ani, and against pinworm and ringworm infection (especially in dogs), against lesions on the body and near eyes, against crab louse infestation, against bumblefoot infection on poultry, and as a disinfectant.[1][5][6] 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.[1]

Eli Lilly & Company - Ointment No. 8 - Ammoniated Mercury 10%

See also
  • Merbromin, also known as "Mercurochrome", another antiseptic mercury compound
  • Thiomersal, another antiseptic mercury compound

References
  1. "Ammoniated mercury".
  2. Wells, A.F. (1984). Structural Inorganic Chemistry. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-855370-6.
  3. Lipscomb, W. N. (1951). "The structure of mercuric amidochloride, HgNH2Cl". Acta Crystallographica. 4 (3): 266–8. doi:10.1107/S0365110X51000866.
  4. Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. (2001). Inorganic Chemistry. San Diego: Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
  5. Aberer W, Gerstner G, Pehamberger H (September 1990). "Ammoniated mercury ointment: outdated but still in use". Contact Dermatitis. 23 (3): 168–71. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1990.tb04778.x. PMID 2149317. S2CID 20467204.
  6. "Mercury ammonium chloride".
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