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Mercury(II) sulfide

Mercury(II) sulfide

Last updated: March 19, 2023

Mercury(II) sulfide is an inorganic compound with formula HgS.

Table of contents

Names

List of substance names

Nomenclature

Name

Typical name: Mercury(II) sulfide

Compositional nomenclature: Mercury(II) sulfide

Other names: Mercuric sulfide; Cinnabar

Formulae and structures

List of formulae

Formula name

Formula

Typical formula: HgS

Compositional formula: HgS

Structural formula

Lewis structure

Colored Lewis structure

Properties

List of substance properties

Item

Value

Name: Mercury(II) sulfide

Formula: HgS

Appearance: Red brown solid

Odor: Odorless

Molar mass: 232.65 g/mol

Density: 8.17 g/cm³^[1]
Solid

Melting point: –

Boiling point: –

Subliming point: 583 °C^[1]

Constituents

Constituent ions

Ion	Name	Charge number	Number
Hg²⁺	Mercury(II) ion	2	1
S²⁻	Sulfide ion	-2	1

Constituent atoms

Atom	Name	Oxidation state	Number
Hg	Mercury	+2	1
S	Sulfur	−2	1

Ratio of atoms

Atom	Atomic weight	Number	Atomic ratio	Weight ratio
Hg	200.592	1	50.00%	86.22%
S	32.06	1	50.00%	13.78%

Thermodynamic properties

Phase transition properties

Item

Value

Enthalpy of fusion: 40 kJ · mol⁻¹^[2]
Black, at 820°C

Enthalpy of vaporization: –

Enthalpy of vaporization at 25°C: –

Enthalpy of other transition: 4.2 kJ · mol⁻¹^[1]
at 386°C

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 red	−58.2^[3]	−50.6^[3]	82.4^[3]	48.41^[3]
Crystalline solid black	−53.6^[3]	−47.7^[3]	88.3^[3]	–
Gas	–	–	254.75^[3]	–

Solubility

Qualitative solubility

Reactive

Miscible

Very soluble

Soluble: HNO₃ · 3HCl^[1]Aqua regia

Slightly soluble

Very slightly soluble

Insoluble: H₂OWater

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

18°C
0.00000125

Solubility curve (g/100 g)

Hazards

GHS label^[5]

Item

Value

Hazard pictograms: GHS07: Exclamation mark; GHS08: Health hazard

Signal word: Danger

Hazard statements: H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction; H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child; H370: Causes damage to organs; H370: Causes damage to central nervous system; H370: Causes damage to nervous system; H370: Causes damage to kidney; H370: Causes damage to gastrointestinal tract; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure; H372: Causes damage to central nervous system through prolonged or repeated exposure; H372: Causes damage to kidney through prolonged or repeated exposure

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	Not applicable
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	Classification not possible
Acute dermal toxicity	Classification not possible
Acute inhalation toxicity by gas	Not applicable
Acute inhalation toxicity by vapor	Not applicable
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 1A	Warning	H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction
Germ cell mutagenicity	Classification not possible
Carcinogenicity	Classification not possible
Reproductive toxicity	Category 1B	Danger	H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child
Specific target organ toxicity single exposure	Category 1 (Central nervous system, Nervous system, Kidney, Gastrointestinal tract)	Danger	H370: Causes damage to organs H370: Causes damage to central nervous system H370: Causes damage to nervous system H370: Causes damage to kidney H370: Causes damage to gastrointestinal tract
Specific target organ toxicity repeated exposure	Category 1 (Central nervous system, Kidney)	Danger	H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure H372: Causes damage to central nervous system through prolonged or repeated exposure H372: Causes damage to kidney 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	Classification not possible
Hazardous to the aquatic environment long term	Classification not possible
Hazardous to the ozone layer	Classification not possible

Preparations

Reaction of metal and nonmetal

The reaction of mercury and sulfur yields mercury(II) sulfide.

Reaction of mercury and sulfur ◆ Δ_rG −50.6 kJ/mol K 7.32 × 10⁸ pK −8.86: HgMercury + SSulfur
⟶
HgSMercury(II) sulfide

Reaction of basic oxide and acid

The reaction of mercury(II) oxide and hydrogen sulfide yields mercury(II) sulfide and water.

Reaction of mercury(II) oxide and hydrogen sulfide ◆ Δ_rG −195.6 kJ/mol K 1.85 × 10³⁴ pK −34.27: HgOMercury(II) oxide + H₂SHydrogen sulfide
⟶
HgSMercury(II) sulfide + H₂OWater

Precipitation reaction

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

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and sodium sulfide ◆ Δ_rG −290.5 kJ/mol K 7.82 × 10⁵⁰ pK −50.89: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + Na₂SSodium sulfide
💧
⟶
HgS↓Mercury(II) sulfide + 2NaClSodium chloride

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and potassium sulfide ◆ Δ_rG −326.3 kJ/mol K 1.46 × 10⁵⁷ pK −57.17: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + K₂SPotassium sulfide
💧
⟶
HgS↓Mercury(II) sulfide + 2KClPotassium chloride

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and rubidium sulfide ◆ Δ_rG −225.8 kJ/mol K 3.62 × 10³⁹ pK −39.56: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + Rb₂SRubidium sulfide
💧
⟶
HgS↓Mercury(II) sulfide + 2RbClRubidium chloride

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and caesium sulfide ◆ Δ_rG −225.6 kJ/mol K 3.34 × 10³⁹ pK −39.52: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + Cs₂SCaesium sulfide
💧
⟶
HgS↓Mercury(II) sulfide + 2CsClCaesium chloride

Reaction of mercury(II) chloride and barium sulfide ◆ Δ_rG −226 kJ/mol K 3.92 × 10³⁹ pK −39.59: HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + BaSBarium sulfide
💧
⟶
HgS↓Mercury(II) sulfide + BaCl₂Barium chloride

Decomposition

Decomposition of thermally decomposable substance can yield mercury(II) sulfide.

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 2265.6 kJ/mol K 0.12 × 10⁻³⁹⁶ pK 396.92: 3HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate
🔥
⟶
3HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 4O₃↑Ozone

Chemical reactions

Electrolytic dissociation

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

Electrolytic dissociation of mercury(II) sulfide ◆ Δ_rG 300.8 kJ/mol K 0.20 × 10⁻⁵² pK 52.70: HgSMercury(II) sulfide
⟶
Hg²⁺Mercury(II) ion + S²⁻Sulfide ion

Reaction with strong acid

The reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and strong acid yields salt of strong acid and hydrogen sulfide.

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and hydrogen chloride ◆ Δ_rG 29.0 kJ/mol K 0.83 × 10⁻⁵ pK 5.08: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 2HClHydrogen chloride
🔥
⟶
HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + H₂SHydrogen sulfide

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and hydrogen bromide ◆ Δ_rG −29.2 kJ/mol K 1.31 × 10⁵ pK −5.12: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 2HBrHydrogen bromide
⟶
HgBr₂Mercury(II) bromide + H₂SHydrogen sulfide

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and hydrogen iodide ◆ Δ_rG −88.1 kJ/mol K 2.72 × 10¹⁵ pK −15.43: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 2HIHydrogen iodide
⟶
HgI₂Mercury(II) iodide + H₂SHydrogen sulfide

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and sulfuric acid ◆ Δ_rG 173.4 kJ/mol K 0.42 × 10⁻³⁰ pK 30.38: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + H₂SO₄Sulfuric acid
🔥
⟶
HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + H₂S↑Hydrogen sulfide

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and nitric acid: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 2HNO₃Nitric acid
⟶
Hg(NO₃)₂Mercury(II) nitrate + H₂S↑Hydrogen sulfide

Reaction with nonvolatile acid

The reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and thiocyanic acid yields mercury(II) thiocyanate and hydrogen sulfide.

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and thiocyanic acid ◆ Δ_rG 83.1 kJ/mol K 0.28 × 10⁻¹⁴ pK 14.56: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 2HSCNThiocyanic acid
🔥
⟶
Hg(SCN)₂Mercury(II) thiocyanate + H₂S↑Hydrogen sulfide

Reaction with oxidizing species

The reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and oxidizing species yields a variety of products.

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and oxygen ◆ Δ_rG −570.4 kJ/mol K 8.51 × 10⁹⁹ pK −99.93: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 2O₂Oxygen
⟶
HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and oxygen ◆ Δ_rG −15.9 kJ/mol K 6.10 × 10² pK −2.79: 2HgSMercury(II) sulfide + O₂Oxygen
⟶
2HgOMercury(II) oxide + 2SSulfur

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and chlorine ◆ Δ_rG −128.0 kJ/mol K 2.66 × 10²² pK −22.42: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + Cl₂Chlorine
⟶
HgCl₂Mercury(II) chloride + SSulfur

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and nitric acid ◆ Δ_rG −295.0 kJ/mol K 4.81 × 10⁵¹ pK −51.68: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 4HNO₃Nitric acid
⟶
HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 4HNO₂Nitrous acid

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and nitric acid ◆ Δ_rG −185.6 kJ/mol K 3.28 × 10³² pK −32.52: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 8HNO₃Nitric acid
⟶
HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 8NO₂↑Nitrogen dioxide + 4H₂OWater

Reaction with reducible species

The reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and reducible species yields a variety of products.

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and iodine ◆ Δ_rG −51.1 kJ/mol K 8.96 × 10⁸ pK −8.95: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + I₂Iodine
⟶
HgI₂Mercury(II) iodide + SSulfur

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and manganese(IV) oxide ◆ Δ_rG −128.6 kJ/mol K 3.39 × 10²² pK −22.53: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 4MnO₂Manganese(IV) oxide
⟶
HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 4MnOManganese(II) oxide

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and manganese(IV) oxide ◆ Δ_rG −340.9 kJ/mol K 5.29 × 10⁵⁹ pK −59.72: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 8MnO₂Manganese(IV) oxide
⟶
HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 4Mn₂O₃Manganese(III) oxide

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

Reaction of mercury(II) sulfide and iron(III) oxide ◆ Δ_rG 245.6 kJ/mol K 0.94 × 10⁻⁴³ pK 43.03: HgSMercury(II) sulfide + 12Fe₂O₃Iron(III) oxide
🔥
⟶
HgSO₄Mercury(II) sulfate + 8Fe₃O₄Iron(II,III) oxide

Reaction with reducing species

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

Reaction of sodium and mercury(II) sulfide ◆ Δ_rG −299.2 kJ/mol K 2.62 × 10⁵² pK −52.42: 2NaSodium + HgSMercury(II) sulfide
⟶
Na₂SSodium sulfide + HgMercury

Reaction of hydrogen and mercury(II) sulfide ◆ Δ_rG 17.0 kJ/mol K 0.11 × 10⁻² pK 2.98: H₂Hydrogen + HgSMercury(II) sulfide
🔥
⟶
HgMercury + H₂SHydrogen sulfide

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, 8.17 g/cm³ - p.53
- ^ Subliming point, 583 °C - p.53
- ^ Enthalpy of other transition, 4.2 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.305
- ^ Qualitative solubility, Soluble in aqua regia - 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
- ^ Enthalpy of fusion, 40 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.6-158
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
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	−50.6 kJ/mol
K	7.32 × 10⁸
pK	−8.86

Δ_rG	−195.6 kJ/mol
K	1.85 × 10³⁴
pK	−34.27

Δ_rG	−290.5 kJ/mol
K	7.82 × 10⁵⁰
pK	−50.89

Δ_rG	−326.3 kJ/mol
K	1.46 × 10⁵⁷
pK	−57.17

Mercury(II) sulfide

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 metal and nonmetal

Reaction of basic oxide and acid

Precipitation reaction

Decomposition

Chemical reactions

Electrolytic dissociation

Reaction with strong acid

Reaction with nonvolatile acid

Reaction with oxidizing species

Reaction with reducible species

Reaction with reducing species

References

List of references

Related substances

Acid

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]