Mercury(II) bromide

Mercury(II) bromide or mercuric bromide is an inorganic compound with the formula HgBr₂.^[2] This white solid is a laboratory reagent.^[3][2] Like all mercury salts, it is highly toxic.^[2]

Mercury(II) bromide

Mercury(II) bromide
Names
IUPAC name Mercury(II) bromide
Other names Mercuric bromide
Identifiers
CAS Number	7789-47-1 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:49639
ChemSpider	23014
ECHA InfoCard	100.029.245
EC Number	232-169-3
PubChem CID	24612
RTECS number	OV7415000
UNII	P986675T8V Y
UN number	1634
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2064864
InChI InChI=1S/2BrH.Hg/h2*1H;/q;;+2/p-2 Key: NGYIMTKLQULBOO-UHFFFAOYSA-L
SMILES Br[Hg]Br
Properties
Chemical formula	HgBr2
Molar mass	360.41 g/mol
Appearance	white solid
Density	6.03 g/cm3, solid
Melting point	237 °C (459 °F; 510 K)
Boiling point	322 °C (612 °F; 595 K)
Solubility in water	0.6 g/100 mL (25°C)
Solubility	30 g/100 mL (25°C) ethanol
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	−94.2·10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
Coordination geometry	rhombic
Hazards
GHS labelling:[1]
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H300, H310, H330, H373, H410
Precautionary statements	P260, P262, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P310, P302+P350, P304+P340, P310, P314, P320, P321, P322, P330, P361, P363, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	3 0 2
Flash point	Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions	Mercury(II) fluoride Mercury(II) chloride Mercury(II) iodide
Other cations	Zinc bromide Cadmium bromide Mercury(I) bromide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Preparation

Mercury(II) bromide can be produced by reaction of metallic mercury with bromine.^[4]

Reactions

Mercury(II) bromide is used as a reagent in the Koenigs–Knorr reaction, which forms glycoside linkages on carbohydrates.^[5][6]

It is also used to test for the presence of arsenic, as recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia.^[7] The arsenic in the sample is first converted to arsine gas by treatment with hydrogen. Arsine reacts with mercury(II) bromide:^[8]

AsH₃ + 3HgBr₂ → As(HgBr)₃ + 3HBr

The white mercury(II) bromide will turn yellow, brown, or black if arsenic is present in the sample.^[9]

Mercury(II) bromide reacts violently with elemental indium at high temperatures^[10] and, when exposed to potassium, can form shock-sensitive explosive mixtures.^[11]