Mercury-containing compounds

Routine mass spectrometry can be used to identify many elements from their approximate ratios of isotope abundances. For example, mercury-containing compounds give ions having the seven isotopes in an approximate ratio of 0.2 10.1 17.0 23.1 13.2 29.7 6.8. 

Technetium and other transition metals can be lifesavers, but other metals in this part of the periodic table can threaten human health. Mercury, cadmium, and nickel are some of the transition metals that can cause problems ranging from skin allergies to toxic poisoning. Some people have also been concerned about the health risks of a mercury-containing compound in vaccines, the injections given to prevent diseases such as the flu. However, there is no evidence that this compound is unsafe, according to most medical experts. 

The mercury containing compound, thimerosal, has found use as an antimicrobial agent and is employed in biological vaccines and contact lens solutions. The decomposition products, methy lmercury chloride, dimethy lmercury, and mercury (III) chloride, have been separated by using RPLC with a C18 column and a 3% acetonitrile mobile phase [27,31]. Long-term degradation of thimerosal was demonstrated with complete recovery for all species. 

Zurich, Switzerland, discovered a mercury-containing compound that is superconducting at 133 K. 

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Phenylmercuric acetate may be irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Eye protection, gloves, and a respirator are recommended. Chronic exposure via any route can lead to central nervous system damage. In the UK, the occupational exposure limit for mercury-containing compounds, calculated as mercury, is 0.01 mg/m long-term (8-hour TWA) and 0.03 mg/m shortterm. ... 

Mercuric chloride is used in preservatives for wood and anatomical specimens, embalming solutions, disinfectants, photographic intensifiers, leather tanning, seed treatments, analytical reagents for organic syntheses, and the manufacture of other mercury-containing compounds. Pharmaceuticals containing mercuric chloride have also been used therapeutically as topical antiseptics and disinfectants. 

DISPOSAL AND STORAGE METHODS may be disposed of in a secured, sanitary landfill large amounts should be incinerated in a unit with effluent gas scrubbing device store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated, secure area stable to storage in closed containers separate from strong oxidants, alkaline materials, and copper or mercury containing compounds avoid exposure to heat and moisture. 

Russian and American workers have further explored the chemistry of bis(trifluoromethyl)keten. This keten reacts exothermically with mercuric fluoride in anhydrous dimethoxyethane to give a bis(fluoroacyl)mercurial (137) which, if a metal carbonate is added, is decomposed to a 55 35 8 mixture of three mercury-containing compounds identified as bis(perfluoro-prop-2-enyl)mercury (138) and its HF adducts (139) and (140), respectively, (Scheme 34). ... 

Mercury from the air or from water sources accumulates in streams and lakes. Bacteria in the water convert the mercury into meihylmercury, which is readily absorbed by insects and other aquatic organisms. The mercury-containing compounds rapidly move up the food chain as small fish eat the small organisms and big fish eat the small fish. The... 

Buchachenko, A.L. (2009) Mercury isotope effects in the environmental chemistry and biochemistry of mercury-containing compounds. Russ. Chem. 

The metal atoms can be bond by coordination bonds, either in a slat-like fashion or, more rarely, by c-bonds [284]. Irrespective of the nature of the bonds the compounds may be called metallomesogens [274]. Depending on the geometry of the molecules, metallomesogens can be calamitic or disco-tic. Rod-like mercury containing compounds were prepared by Vorlander s group [5, 285]. 

---