What is Mercury(I) nitrate?
'''Mercury(I) nitrate''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is Hg<sub>2</sub>(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>. It has [[mercury (element)|mercury]] and [[nitrate]] [[ion]]s in it. The mercury is in its +1 [[oxidation state]]. ==Properties== It is a white solid. It is a weak [[reducing agent]] in air. It oxidizes to [[mercury(II) oxide]] and [[mercury(II) nitrate]]. It reacts slowly with water when it is dissolved in water. This makes a basic mercury(I) nitrate and some [[nitric acid]]. The basic mercury(I) nitrate is yellow. Mercury(I) nitrate can kill you if you eat or [[inhale]] it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/ME/mercury_I_nitrate.html |title=Safety information for mercury(I) nitrate |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |work= |publisher=Oxford University |accessdate=August 30, 2010 |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202182302/http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/ME/mercury_I_nitrate.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==Preparation== It is made by reacting mercury with a dilute [[solution]] of nitric acid. A concentrated solution of nitric acid makes mercury(II) nitrate. ==Related pages== *[[Mercury(II) chloride]] *[[Mercury(I) chloride]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Nitrogen compounds]] [[Category:Mercury compounds]]