MERCURIC CHLORIDE CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE  , PER-CHLORIDE OF

MERCURY (HgC12), a white solid obtained by the action of chlorine on mercury or calomel, by the addition of hydrochloric acid to a hot, strong solution of mercurous nitrate, Hg2(NO3)2+4HC1=2HgC12+2H2O-1-2NO2f and, commercially, by heating a mixture of mercuric sulphate and common salt, the mercuric chloride subliming and being condensed in the form of small rhombic crystals . It melts at 288°, and boils at 303°; it is sparingly soluble in cold water, more so in hot; it is very soluble in alcohol and ether . It is soluble in hydrochloric acid forming compounds such as HgC12.2HC1, 3HgC12.4HC1, 2HgC12•HC1; according to the temperature and concentration; it also forms double salts with many chlorides; sal alembroth, 2NH4C1•HgCl2•H2O, is the compound with ammonium chloride . It absorbs ammonia to form HgC12•NH3, which may be distilled without decomposition . Various oxychlorides are formed by digesting corrosive sublimate with mercuric oxide . Corrosive sublimate has important applications in medicine—as an astringent, stimulant, caustic and antiseptic (see MERCURY) .