What is HgO? Important knowledge about HgO.

1. Definition of HgO

HgO, also known as Mercury(II) oxide, is a chemical compound consisting of the elements mercury and oxygen. The English name of this substance is Mercury(II) oxide. Each HgO molecule contains one mercury atom and one oxygen atom. While the atomic weight of mercury is 200.59 a.m.u., oxygen is 15.999 a.m.u., so the atomic weight of HgO is 216.589 a.m.u. HgO does not have an ionic structure because it is an oxide, not a salt.

2. Properties of HgO

HgO has unique physical and chemical properties. The physical properties include: HgO is solid at normal conditions, it has red or orange color and does not have a distinctive smell. The chemical properties of HgO include its ability to react with strong acids to form mercury(II) salts and water.

3. Common chemical reactions of HgO

HgO usually reacts with strong acids such as HCl, H₂SO₄ to form mercury(II) salts and water. For example:

HgO + 2HCl -> HgCl₂ + H₂O

HgO + H₂SO₄ -> HgSO₄ + H₂O

4. Preparation of HgO

In the laboratory, HgO can be synthesized through the reaction between mercury and oxygen at high temperatures:

2Hg + O₂ -> 2HgO

On an industrial scale, HgO is commonly produced from heating mercury in air.

Additionally, HgO can also be synthesized from the oxidation of mercury with nitric acid:

Hg + 2HNO₃ -> HgO + 2NO₂ + H₂O