Mercury(II) chloride
Mercury(II) chloride
Mercury(II) chloride or mercuric chloride (pronounced: mer·cu·ric chlo·ride) is a chemical compound with the formula HgCl2. This highly toxic substance is the most common mercury-based compound. It is used in photography, in controlling solutions for gold electroplating, and as a topical antiseptic and disinfectant.
Etymology
The term "Mercury(II) chloride" is derived from the elements that make up the compound. "Mercury" is named after the planet Mercury, which was named for the Roman god Mercury. The "(II)" indicates the oxidation state of the mercury in the compound. "Chloride" comes from "chlorine", a chemical element named after the Greek word "chloros", meaning greenish-yellow.
Related Terms
- Mercury: A chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum.
- Chlorine: A chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. It is the second-lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17.
- Oxidation state: An indicator of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound.
- Antiseptic: Antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction.
- Disinfectant: Chemical agents designed to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces.
See Also
- Mercury (I) chloride: A chemical compound with the formula Hg2Cl2, also known as calomel.
- Mercury poisoning: A type of metal poisoning due to exposure to mercury.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mercury(II) chloride
- Wikipedia's article - Mercury(II) chloride
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