Chemistry:Mercuric amidochloride

"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
CAS Number	10124-48-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	21106343 Y
PubChem CID	3032553
UNII	JD546Z56F0 N
InChI InChI=1S/ClH.Hg.H2N/h1H;;1H2/q;+2;-1/p-1 Y Key: WRWRKDRWMURIBI-UHFFFAOYSA-M Y InChI=1/ClH.Hg.H2N/h1H;;1H2/q;+2;-1/p-1/rClH2HgN/c1-2-3/h3H2 Key: WRWRKDRWMURIBI-CUFRCDTJAQ
SMILES Cl[Hg]N
Properties
Chemical formula	Hg(NH 2)Cl
Molar mass	252.065 g/mol
Appearance	White crystalline solid or white amorphous powder
Odor	Odorless
Density	5.56 g/cm3
Boiling point	Sublimes
Solubility in water	0.14 g in 100 mL of cold water 100 g in 100 mL of hot water (decomposes)
Solubility	Soluble in warm hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and acetic acid, insoluble in ethanol
Pharmacology
1=ATC code }}	D08AK01 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS pictograms
GHS Signal word	Danger
GHS hazard statements	HH300Category:GHS errors, HH310Category:GHS errors, HH330Category:GHS errors, HH373Category:GHS errors, HH410Category:GHS errors
GHS precautionary statements	PP260Category:GHS errors, PP262Category:GHS errors, PP264Category:GHS errors, PP270Category:GHS errors, PP271Category:GHS errors, PP273Category:GHS errors, PP280Category:GHS errors, PP284Category:GHS errors, PP301+P316Category:GHS errors, PP302+P352Category:GHS errors, PP304+P340Category:GHS errors, PP316Category:GHS errors, PP319Category:GHS errors, PP320Category:GHS errors, PP321Category:GHS errors, PP330Category:GHS errors, PP361+P364Category:GHS errors, PP391Category:GHS errors, PP403+P233Category:GHS errors, PP405Category:GHS errors, PP501Category:GHS errors
Flash point	Non-combustible
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	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	Dimethylmercury Mercury(II) chloride Mercury(I) chloride Methylmercuric dicyanamide Phenylmercuric borate Phenylmercury acetate Phenylmercuric nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Tracking categories (test):

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

Preparation and properties

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

HgCl
2 + 2 NH
3 → HgCl(NH
2) + [NH
4]Cl

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

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

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.

Addition of base converts it into "Millon's base" (named after Eugène Millon), which has the formula Hg
2(OH)N · xH
2O. A variety of related amido and nitrido materials with chloride, bromide, and hydroxide are known.

Uses

Before the toxicity of mercury was revealed, mercuric amidochloride, then known as "ammoniated mercury" or "white precipitate", 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. 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.

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