Mercury chemical incompatibilities

SAFETY PROFILE A poison. Flammable by chemical reaction an oxidizer. Explosive reaction with hydrogen peroxide, chlorine + ethylene. Reacts violently with molten potassium, molten sodium, S, (H2S + BaO + air). Forms explosive mixtures with nonmetals [e.g., phosphorus (impact-sensitive), sulfur (friction-sensitive)]. Incompatible with alkali metals, reducing materials. Dangerous when heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of Hg. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS, INORGANIC. 

MERCURIC BICHLORIDE (7487-94-7) HgClj Contact with acids or acid fumes evolves chloride and mercury vapors. Possible violent reaction with chlorine nitrate, sodium acetylide. Incompatible with albumin, alkalis, alkaloid salts, anhydrous ammonia, antimony, arsenic, borax, bromides, carbonates, chloric acid, copper, formates, gelatin, hydrozoic acid, infusions of cinchona, iron, lead and silver salts, lime water, light metals, methyl isocyanoacetate, oak bark or senna, phosphates, potassium, reduced iron, sodiiun, sodium peroxyborate, sulfides, sulfites, tannic acids, trinitrobenzoic acid, urea nitrate, vegetable astringents. Decomposed by sunlight. On small fires, use water spray, fog, foam, dry chemical powder, or CO2 extinguishers. 

MERCURIC SULFATE (7783-35-9) HgS04 Noncombustible solid. Reacts with water, forming an insoluble mercury and sulfuric acid. Light may cause slow decomposition. Incompatible with aluminum, ammonia, hydrozoic acid, magnesium, methyl isocyanoacetate, sodium acetylide, sodium peroxyborate, red phosphorus, trinitrobenzoic acid, urea nitrate, powdered zirconium. Reacts violently with gaseous hydrogen chloride above 250°F/121 C. Attacks metals in the presence of moisture. On small fires, use dry chemical powder (such as Purple-K-Powder), water spray, or COj extinguishers. 

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