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Mercury(II) sulfate

Mercury(II) sulfate

Last updated: March 19, 2023

Mercury(II) sulfate is an inorganic compound with formula HgSO₄.

Table of contents

Names

List of substance names

Nomenclature

Name

Typical name: Mercury(II) sulfate

Compositional nomenclature: Mercury(II) sulfate

Additive nomenclature: Mercury(2+) tetraoxidosulfate(2−)

Other names: Mercuric sulfate

Formulae and structures

List of formulae

Formula name

Formula

Typical formula: HgSO₄

Compositional formula: HgSO₄

Structural formula

Other structural formulas

Lewis structure

Colored Lewis structure

Properties

List of substance properties

Item

Value

Name: Mercury(II) sulfate

Formula: HgSO₄

Appearance: Colorless solid

Odor: Odorless

Molar mass: 296.65 g/mol

Density: 6.47 g/cm³^[1][2]
Solid

Melting point: Decompose^[1]
→ HgO, SO₃

Boiling point: –

Constituents

Constituent ions

Ion	Name	Charge number	Number
Hg²⁺	Mercury(II) ion	2	1
SO₄²⁻	Sulfate ion	-2	1

Constituent atoms

Atom	Name	Oxidation state	Number
Hg	Mercury	+2	1
S	Sulfur	+6	1
O	Oxygen	−2	4

Ratio of atoms

Atom	Atomic weight	Number	Atomic ratio	Weight ratio
Hg	200.592	1	16.67%	67.62%
S	32.06	1	16.67%	10.81%
O	15.999	4	66.67%	21.57%

Thermodynamic properties

Phase transition properties

Item

Value

Enthalpy of fusion: –

Enthalpy of vaporization: –

Enthalpy of vaporization at 25°C: –

Enthalpy of other transition: –

Standard thermodynamic properties

State	Standard enthalpy of formation Δ_fH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of formation Δ_fG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar entropy S° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar heat capacity at constant pressure C_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
Crystalline solid	−707.5^[3]	–	–	–
Un−ionized aqueous solution	–	−588.2^[3]	–	–

Solubility

Qualitative solubility

Reactive

Miscible

Very soluble

Soluble: HA^[1]Acid

Slightly soluble

Very slightly soluble: H₂OWater

Insoluble

Solubility in water (g/100 g)^[4]

16.5°C	33°C	50°C	75°C	100°C
0.055	0.06	0.065	0.074	0.092

Solubility curve (g/100 g)

Hazards

GHS label^[5]

Item

Value

Hazard pictograms: GHS06: Skull and crossbones; GHS07: Exclamation mark; GHS08: Health hazard; GHS09: Environment

Signal word: Danger

Hazard statements: H301: Toxic if swallowed; H311: Toxic in contact with skin; H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction; H370: Causes damage to organs; H370: Causes damage to kidney; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure; H372: Causes damage to kidney through prolonged or repeated exposure; H372: Causes damage to central nervous system through prolonged or repeated exposure; H400: Very toxic to aquatic life; H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Physical hazards^[5]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Explosives	Not applicable
Flammable gases	Not applicable
Aerosols	Not applicable
Oxidizing gases	Not applicable
Gases under pressure	Not applicable
Flammable liquids	Not applicable
Flammable solids	Not classified
Self reactive substances and mixtures	Not applicable
Pyrophoric liquids	Not applicable
Pyrophoric solids	Not classified
Self heating substances and mixtures	Not classified
Substances and mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases	Not classified
Oxidizing liquids	Not applicable
Oxidizing solids	Classification not possible
Organic peroxides	Not applicable
Substances and mixtures corrosive to metals	Classification not possible
Desensitized explosives	No data

Health hazards^[5]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Acute oral toxicity	Category 3	Danger	H301: Toxic if swallowed
Acute dermal toxicity	Category 3	Danger	H311: Toxic in contact with skin
Acute inhalation toxicity by gas	Not applicable
Acute inhalation toxicity by vapor	Classification not possible
Acute inhalation toxicity by dust or mist	Classification not possible
Skin corrosion irritation	Classification not possible
Serious eye damage eye irritation	Classification not possible
Respiratory sensitization	Classification not possible
Skin sensitization	Category 1	Warning	H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction
Germ cell mutagenicity	Classification not possible
Carcinogenicity	Not classified
Reproductive toxicity	Classification not possible
Specific target organ toxicity single exposure	Category 1 (Kidney)	Danger	H370: Causes damage to organs H370: Causes damage to kidney
Specific target organ toxicity repeated exposure	Category 1 (Kidney, Central nervous system)	Danger	H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure H372: Causes damage to kidney through prolonged or repeated exposure H372: Causes damage to central nervous system through prolonged or repeated exposure
Aspiration hazard	Classification not possible

Environmental hazards^[5]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Hazardous to the aquatic environment short term	Category 1	Warning	H400: Very toxic to aquatic life
Hazardous to the aquatic environment long term	Category 1	Warning	H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Hazardous to the ozone layer	No data

Preparations

Precipitation reaction

When mercury(II) ion and sulfate ion react in aqueous solution, a precipitate of mercury(II) sulfate is formed.

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and sodium sulfate ◆ Δ_rG 67.1 kJ/mol K 0.18 × 10⁻¹¹ pK 11.76: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + Na₂SO₄Sodium sulfate
💧
⟶
HgSO₄↓Mercury(II) sulfate + 2NaClSodium chloride

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and magnesium sulfate ◆ Δ_rG 67.4 kJ/mol K 0.16 × 10⁻¹¹ pK 11.81: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + MgSO₄Magnesium sulfate
💧
⟶
HgSO₄↓Mercury(II) sulfate + MgCl₂Magnesium chloride

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and sulfuric acid ◆ Δ_rG 138.9 kJ/mol K 0.46 × 10⁻²⁴ pK 24.33: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + H₂SO₄Sulfuric acid
⟶
HgSO₄↓Mercury(II) sulfate + 2HCl↑Hydrogen chloride

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and potassium sulfate ◆ Δ_rG 67.1 kJ/mol K 0.18 × 10⁻¹¹ pK 11.76: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + K₂SO₄Potassium sulfate
💧
⟶
HgSO₄↓Mercury(II) sulfate + 2KClPotassium chloride

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and chromium(III) sulfate: 3HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + Cr₂(SO₄)₃Chromium(III) sulfate
💧
⟶
3HgSO₄↓Mercury(II) sulfate + 2CrCl₃Chromium(III) chloride

Reaction of inactive metal and oxidizing acid

The reaction of mercury and sulfuric acid yields mercury(II) sulfate, sulfur dioxide, and water.

Reaction of mercury and sulfuric acid ◆ Δ_rG 87.1 kJ/mol K 0.55 × 10⁻¹⁵ pK 15.26: HgMercury + 2H₂SO₄Sulfuric acid
🔥
⟶
HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + SO₂↑Sulfur dioxide + 2H₂OWater

Chemical reactions

Electrolytic dissociation

Electrolytic dissociation of mercury(II) sulfate yields mercury(II) ion and sulfate ion.

Electrolytic dissociation of mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG 8.1 kJ/mol K 0.38 × 10⁻¹ pK 1.42: HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
⟶
Hg²⁺Mercury(II) ion + SO₄²⁻Sulfate ion

Reaction with reducing species

The reaction of reducing species and mercury(II) sulfate yields a variety of products.

Reaction of hydrogen and mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG −481.3 kJ/mol K 2.09 × 10⁸⁴ pK −84.32: 4H₂Hydrogen + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
⟶
HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 4H₂OWater

Reaction of sodium and mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG −640.9 kJ/mol K 1.91 × 10¹¹² pK −112.28: 2NaSodium + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
⟶
Na₂SO₄Sodium sulfate + HgMercury

Reaction of hydrogen and mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG −134.6 kJ/mol K 3.81 × 10²³ pK −23.58: H₂Hydrogen + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
⟶
HgMercury + H₂SO₄Sulfuric acid

Reaction of hydrogen sulfide and mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG −209.7 kJ/mol K 5.47 × 10³⁶ pK −36.74: 4H₂SHydrogen sulfide + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
⟶
5SSulfur + HgMercury + 4H₂OWater

Reaction of sodium and mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG −874.3 kJ/mol K 1.48 × 10¹⁵³ pK −153.17: 8NaSodium + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
⟶
4Na₂OSodium oxide + HgMercury + SSulfur

Reaction with oxidizable species under acidic condition

The reaction of oxidizable species, mercury(II) sulfate, and hydrogen ion yields a variety of products.

Reaction of copper and mercury(II) sulfate under acidic condition ◆ Δ_rG −108.7 kJ/mol K 1.11 × 10¹⁹ pK −19.04: 7CuCopper + 2HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 16H⁺Hydrogen ion
🔥
⟶
7Cu²⁺Copper(II) ion + Hg₂²⁺Dimercury(I) ion + 2SSulfur + 8H₂OWater

Reaction of copper and mercury(II) sulfate under acidic condition ◆ Δ_rG −151.9 kJ/mol K 4.09 × 10²⁶ pK −26.61: 15CuCopper + 4HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 32H⁺Hydrogen ion
🔥
⟶
15Cu²⁺Copper(II) ion + 2Hg₂²⁺Dimercury(I) ion + 4SSulfur + 16H₂OWater

Reaction with oxidizable species

The reaction of oxidizable species and mercury(II) sulfate yields a variety of products.

Reaction of copper and mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG −64.7 kJ/mol K 2.16 × 10¹¹ pK −11.33: CuCopper + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
🔥
⟶
CuSO₄Copper(II) sulfate + HgMercury

Reaction of copper and mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG −46.4 kJ/mol K 1.35 × 10⁸ pK −8.13: 8CuCopper + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
🔥
⟶
4Cu₂OCopper(I) oxide + HgSMercury(II) sulfide

Reaction of iron(II) oxide and mercury(II) sulfate: 8FeOIron(II) oxide + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
🔥
⟶
4Fe₂O₃Iron(III) oxide + HgSMercury(II) sulfide

Reaction of iron(II) oxide and mercury(II) sulfate: 8FeOIron(II) oxide + HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
🔥
⟶
4Fe₂O₃Iron(III) oxide + HgMercury + SSulfur

Reaction with hardly oxidizable species under acidic condition

The reaction of hardly oxidizable species, mercury(II) sulfate, and hydrogen ion yields a variety of products.

Reaction of hydrogen chloride and mercury(II) sulfate under acidic condition: 2HClHydrogen chloride + 2HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 2H⁺Hydrogen ion
⟶
Cl₂Chlorine + 2Hg⁺Mercury(I) ion + 2SO₃Sulfur trioxide + 2H₂OWater

Reaction of hydrogen chloride and mercury(II) sulfate under acidic condition ◆ Δ_rG 369.7 kJ/mol K 0.17 × 10⁻⁶⁴ pK 64.77: 2HClHydrogen chloride + 2HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 2H⁺Hydrogen ion
🔥
⟶
Cl₂Chlorine + Hg₂²⁺Dimercury(I) ion + 2SO₃Sulfur trioxide + 2H₂OWater

Reaction of gold and mercury(II) sulfate under acidic condition: AuGold + 3HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 6H⁺Hydrogen ion
🔥
⟶
Au³⁺Gold(III) ion + 3Hg⁺Mercury(I) ion + 3SO₃Sulfur trioxide + 3H₂OWater

Reaction of gold and mercury(II) sulfate under acidic condition: 2AuGold + 6HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 12H⁺Hydrogen ion
🔥
⟶
2Au³⁺Gold(III) ion + 3Hg₂²⁺Dimercury(I) ion + 6SO₃Sulfur trioxide + 6H₂OWater

Decomposition

Decomposition of mercury(II) sulfate yields mercury(II) oxide and sulfur trioxide.

Decomposition of mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG 537.6 kJ/mol K 0.66 × 10⁻⁹⁴ pK 94.18: HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
🔥
⟶
HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 2O₂↑Oxygen

Decomposition of mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG 327.3 kJ/mol K 0.46 × 10⁻⁵⁷ pK 57.34: HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
🔥
⟶
HgMercury + SO₂↑Sulfur dioxide + O₂↑Oxygen

Decomposition of mercury(II) sulfate ◆ Δ_rG 155.5 kJ/mol K 0.57 × 10⁻²⁷ pK 27.24: HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
🔥
⟶
HgOMercury(II) oxide + SO₃Sulfur trioxide

References

List of references

1
James G. Speight (2017)
Lange's Handbook of Chemistry, 17th edition
https://www.accessengineeringlibrary.com/content/book/9781259586095
McGraw Hill Education
- Amazon
Citation list
- ^ Density, 6.47 g/cm³ - p.53
- ^ Melting point, Decompose - p.53
- ^ Qualitative solubility, Soluble in acid - p.53
2
John R. Rumble Jr, David R. Lide, Thomas J. Bruno (2019)
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics 100th Edition
https://www.routledge.com/CRC-Handbook-of-Chemistry-and-Physics/book-series/CRCHANCHEPHY
CRC Press
- Amazon
Citation list
- ^ Density, 6.47 g/cm³ - p.4-46
3
Janiel J. Reed (1989)
The NBS Tables of Chemical Thermodynamic Properties: Selected Values for Inorganic and C1 and C2 Organic Substances in SI Units
https://doi.org/10.18434/M32124
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Citation list
- ^ Δ_fH°, -707.5 kJ · mol⁻¹
- ^ Δ_fG°, -588.2 kJ · mol⁻¹
4
Atherton Seidell (1919)
Solubilities of Inorganic and Organic Compounds: A Compilation of Quantitative Solubility Data From the Periodical Literature
D. Van Nostrand Company
- Amazon
Citation list
- ^ Solubility in Water (g/100 g), See the table - p.431
5
Chemical Management Center
GHS Classification Results
https://www.nite.go.jp/chem/english/ghs/all_fy_e.html
National Institute of Technology and Evaluation
Citation list

Δ_rG	−22.3 kJ/mol
K	8.07 × 10³
pK	−3.91

Δ_rG	−155.5 kJ/mol
K	1.75 × 10²⁷
pK	−27.24

Δ_rG	173.4 kJ/mol
K	0.42 × 10⁻³⁰
pK	30.38

Δ_rG	99.9 kJ/mol
K	0.31 × 10⁻¹⁷
pK	17.50

Mercury(II) sulfate

Names

List of substance names

Formulae and structures

List of formulae

Properties

List of substance properties

Constituents

Constituent ions

Constituent atoms

Ratio of atoms

Thermodynamic properties

Phase transition properties

Standard thermodynamic properties

Solubility

Qualitative solubility

Solubility in water (g/100 g)[4]

Solubility curve (g/100 g)

Hazards

GHS label[5]

Physical hazards[5]

Health hazards[5]

Environmental hazards[5]

Preparations

Reaction of basic oxide and acid

Reaction of basic oxide and acidic oxide

Reaction of salt of weak acid and strong acid

Precipitation reaction

Reaction of inactive metal and oxidizing acid

Chemical reactions

Electrolytic dissociation

Reaction with reducing species

Reaction with oxidizable species under acidic condition

Reaction with oxidizable species

Reaction with hardly oxidizable species under acidic condition

Decomposition

References

List of references

Related substances

Acid and acidic oxide

Basic oxide

Related categories

Classification by constituent

Type of substance

State of substance

Property of substance

Solubility of substance

Color of substance

Odor of substance

Solubility in water (g/100 g)^[4]

GHS label^[5]

Physical hazards^[5]

Health hazards^[5]

Environmental hazards^[5]