Mercury(II) sulfate facts for kids
Mercury(II) sulfate, also known as mercuric sulfate, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is HgSO4. It has mercury and sulfate ions in it. The mercury is in its +2 oxidation state.
Properties
Mercury(II) sulfate is a colorless solid. It reacts with hot water to make sulfuric acid and a mercury oxysulfate that does not dissolve. It is an oxidizing agent.
Preparation
Mercury(II) sulfate is made by dissolving a small amount of mercury metal in concentrated sulfuric acid. It can also be made by reacting mercury(II) oxide with sulfuric acid.
Uses
Mercury(II) sulfate is used as a catalyst in making acetaldehyde. Some byproducts of this reaction that have mercury in them are thought to have poisoned many people in Japan (Minamata disease).
Related pages
Images for kids
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Portion of structure of HgSO4 illustrating the distorted tetrahedral geometry at Hg (dark blue spheres).
See also
In Spanish: Sulfato de mercurio(II) para niños
