This monograph for Mercurous Chloride provides, in addition to common physical constants, a general description including typical appearance, applications, change in state (approximate), and aqueous solubility. The monograph also details the following specifications and corresponding tests for verifying that a substance meets ACS Reagent Grade specifications including: Assay, Residue after Reduction, Mercuric Chloride, and Sulfate.

Mercurous chloride:

Chemical Formulae

Hg2Cl2

• Mercurous chloride (mercury [I] chloride), Hg₂Cl^₂, is a white powder that is nearly insoluble in water.
• It is also called calomel.
• Mercurous chloride reacts with ammonia to produce a black solid, and this reaction has been widely used in the identification of dissolved mercury ions in water

Uses:

• Mercurous chloride finds uses as a purgative (laxative), and in the preparation of insecticides and medicines. It has also been used to treat infections of intestinal worms and as a fungicide (a substance used to kill fungi and prevent fungal growth) in agriculture.