mercury is an unreactive metal. it does not corrode in air unless hydrogen sulfide is also there, similar to silver. mercury can oxidize to mercury(ii) oxide when heated in air. if it is heated further, it decomposes into mercury and oxygen again. it does not dissolve in ordinary acids, but can dissolve in oxidizing acids to make mercury salts. it can make amalgams when mixed with most metals, like aluminium, gold, and zinc. iron, tantalum, tungsten, and platinum do not make amalgams with mercury. iron flasks were used to trade mercury because of this.