Mercury(I) iodide

Mercury(I) iodide is a chemical compound of mercury and iodine. The chemical formula is Hg2I2. It is photosensitive and decomposes easily to mercury and HgI2.

Mercury(I) iodide
Names
IUPAC name
Dimercury diiodide
Other names
Mercury(I) iodide
Mercurous iodide
Red mercury
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.035.811
EC Number
  • 239-409-6
UNII
UN number 1638
Properties
Hg
2
I
2
Molar mass 654.99 g mol−1
Appearance Dark yellow, opaque crystals
Odor Odourless
Density 7.7 g mL−1
41.5·10−6 cm3/mol
Thermochemistry
241.47 J K−1 mol−1
−119.09 kJ mol−1
Hazards
GHS pictograms
GHS Signal word Danger
H300, H310, H330, H373, H410
P260, P273, P280, P284, P301+310
Related compounds
Other anions
Mercury(I) bromide
Mercury(I) chloride
Mercury(I) fluoride
Related compounds
Mercury(II) iodide
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

Synthesis

Mercury(I) iodide can be prepared by directly reacting mercury and iodine.

Structure

In common with other Hg(I) (mercurous) compounds which contain linear X-Hg-Hg-X units, Hg2I2 contains linear IHg2I units with an Hg-Hg bond length of 272 pm (Hg-Hg in the metal is 300 pm) and an Hg-I bond length of 268 pm.[1] The overall coordination of each Hg atom is octahedral as it has in addition to the two nearest neighbours there are four other I atoms at 351 pm.[1] The compound is often formulated as Hg22+ 2I.[2]

Historical Uses

Mercury(I) iodide was a commonly used as a drug in the 19th century, sometimes under the contemporary name of 'protiodide of mercury'. It was used to treat a wide range of conditions; everything from acne to kidney disease and in particular was the treatment of choice for syphilis. It was available over the counter at any drugstore in the world, the most common form being a concoction of protiodide, licorice, glycerin and marshmallow.

Taken orally, and in low doses, protiodide causes excessive salivation, fetid breath, spongy and bleeding gums and sore teeth. Excessive use or an overdose causes physical weakness, loss of teeth, hemolysing (destruction of the red blood cells) of the blood and necrosis of the bones and tissues of the body. Early signs of an overdose or excessive use are muscular tremors, chorea, and locomotor ataxia. Violent bloody vomiting and voiding also occur.

Protiodide is banned as a medication, even though it persisted in use as a quack remedy until the early 20th century.

See also

References

  1. Wells A.F. (1984) Structural Inorganic Chemistry 5th edition Oxford Science Publications ISBN 0-19-855370-6
  2. Cotton, F. Albert; Wilkinson, Geoffrey; Murillo, Carlos A.; Bochmann, Manfred (1999), Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (6th ed.), New York: Wiley-Interscience, ISBN 0-471-19957-5
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