Mercury iodide

Chemical properties

bright yellow, amorphous, odorless, tasteless powder(s); darkens or becomes greenish in light forming HgI and liquid Hg; color changes to dark yellow, orange, and orange-red when heated, reverse order when cooled; enthalpy of fusion 27.00 kJ/mol; can be made by precipitation in HgNO3 solution with KI; used as a topical antibacterial agent in medicine [HAW93] [MER06] [KIR81] [CRC10]

General Description

Bright yellow powder. Becomes greenish on exposure to light due to disproportionation into metallic mercury and mercuric iodide. Insoluble in water but soluble in castor oil and aqueous ammonia. Becomes dark yellow, orange and red on heating but yellow again upon cooling. Density approx. 7.7 g / cm3. Toxic by inhalation and by ingestion.

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.