Mercury(II) fluoride explained

Mercury(II) fluoride has the molecular formula HgF₂ as a chemical compound of one atom of mercury with 2 atoms of fluorine.

Synthesis

Mercury(II) fluoride is most commonly produced by the reaction of mercury(II) oxide and hydrogen fluoride:

HgO + 2 HF → HgF₂ + H₂O

Mercury(II) fluoride can also be produced through the fluorination of mercury(II) chloride:

HgCl₂ + F₂ → HgF₂ + Cl₂

or of mercury(II) oxide:

2 HgO + 2 F₂ → 2 HgF₂ + O₂with oxygen as byproduct.

Applications

Mercury(II) fluoride is a selective fluorination agent.^[1]

Notes and References

1. 10.1016/S0022-1139(00)80299-7 . Photochemical selective fluorination of organic molecules using mercury (II) fluoride . 1991 . Habibi . Mohammed H. . Mallouk . Thomas E. . Journal of Fluorine Chemistry . 51 . 2 . 291.