Mercury(I) fluoride
Mercury(I) fluoride, also known as mercurous fluoride, is an inorganic compound with the formula Hg2F2. It is a white crystalline solid, but samples often appear yellow or light brown due to impurities. Mercury(I) fluoride is one of the few metal fluorides that is insoluble in water. This compound is of interest in the field of inorganic chemistry due to its unique properties and bonding structure.
Properties[edit | edit source]
Mercury(I) fluoride is characterized by its low solubility in water and its stability at room temperature. It has a unique bonding structure, where two mercury atoms are bonded together in a dimeric unit (Hg2)^2+, with each mercury atom also bonded to a fluoride ion. This dimerization is a common feature in mercury(I) compounds, resulting from the mercury's +1 oxidation state, where it prefers to share its single valence electron with another mercury atom, forming a bond.
Synthesis[edit | edit source]
Mercury(I) fluoride can be synthesized by reacting mercury(I) chloride (Hg2Cl2) with a fluoride source, such as hydrofluoric acid (HF), in a controlled environment. The reaction proceeds via the exchange of chloride ions with fluoride ions, leading to the formation of mercury(I) fluoride and hydrochloric acid as by-products.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Due to its limited solubility and reactivity, mercury(I) fluoride has few practical applications. However, it is occasionally used in specialized chemical syntheses and in research settings to study the properties of mercury and its compounds. Its unique dimeric structure makes it a subject of interest in theoretical and structural chemistry.
Safety[edit | edit source]
Mercury(I) fluoride, like all mercury compounds, is toxic and requires careful handling. Exposure to mercury compounds can lead to serious health issues, including mercury poisoning. Proper safety protocols, including the use of gloves and protective eyewear, should be followed when handling mercury(I) fluoride.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
