Phenylmercuric chloride

Description

White satiny crystals that have been used as a disinfectant, and fungicide. Phenylmercuric chloride is no longer recommended for use due to the hazards of mercury compounds to humans and the environment.

Synonyms and Related Terms

chlorophenylmercury; phenyl mercuric chloride; Stopspot; (chloromercuri)benzene; mercuriphenyl chloride; phenyl chloromercury

Chemical structure

Other Properties

Soluble in benzene, ether, pyridine. Slightly soluble in hot ethanol. Insoluble in water.

Composition	C6H5HgCl
CAS	100-56-1
Melting Point	250-252
Molecular Weight	mol. wt. = 313.14

Hazards and Safety

Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Causes burns and nerve disorders.

Fisher Scientific: MSDS

Authority

• Richard S. Lewis, Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Michael McCann, Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979

• The Merck Index, Susan Budavari (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Whitehouse Station, NJ, 12th Edition, 1996 Comment: entry 7182