Mercury(I) nitrate


Mercury nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula Hg22. It is used in the preparation of other mercury compounds, and is toxic.

Reactions

Mercury nitrate is formed when elemental mercury is combined with dilute nitric acid. Mercury nitrate is a reducing agent which is oxidized upon contact with air.
Mercuric nitrate can be reacted with elemental mercury to form mercurous nitrate.
Solutions of mercury nitrate are acidic due to slow reaction with water:
Hg2 forms a yellow precipitate.
If the solution is boiled or exposed to light, mercury nitrate undergoes a disproportionation reaction yielding elemental mercury and mercury nitrate:
These reactions are reversible; the nitric acid formed can redissolve the basic salt.