Mercury(I) oxide explained

Mercury(I) oxide, also known as mercurous oxide, is an inorganic metal oxide with the chemical formula Hg2O.

It is a brown/black powder, insoluble in water but soluble in nitric acid. With hydrochloric acid, it reacts to form calomel, Hg2Cl2.[1] Mercury(I) oxide is toxic but without taste or smell. It is chemically unstable and converts to mercury(II) oxide and mercury metal.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Perry, Dale L.. Handbook of Inorganic Compounds. Taylor & Francis. 2011. 978-1-4398-1461-1. 2nd. Boca Raton. 270. 587104373.

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