What is Mercury(II) oxide?
[[File:Mercury(II)-oxide.jpg|thumb|Mercury(II) oxide]] '''Mercury(II) oxide''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is HgO. It has [[mercury (element)|mercury]] and [[oxide]] ions. The mercury is in the +2 [[oxidation state]]. ==Properties== It is a red or yellow solid. It is very [[toxic]] and [[corrosive]]. It reacts violently with some [[reducing agent]]s, as it is an [[oxidizing agent]]. It reacts with [[acid]]s to make other mercury(II) salts like [[mercury(II) chloride]]. It breaks down when heated to make mercury and oxygen. ==Preparation== It can be made by heating mercury and oxygen at {{convert|350|C|F}}. It can also be made by heating [[mercury(II) nitrate]]. This makes the red form. The yellow form is made by reacting a mercury(II) salt with a strong [[base (chemistry)|base]]. ==Uses== It can be used to make other mercury(II) salts. It is used in [[mercury battery|mercury batteries]]. It is much cheaper than the [[silver(I) oxide]] used in [[silver oxide battery|silver oxide batteries]]. ==Related pages== *[[Mercury(I) chloride]] *[[Mercury(I) nitrate]] [[Category:Mercury compounds]] [[Category:Oxides]]