Diphenylmercury Property

Melting point:

121-124 °C (lit.)

Boiling point:

>306°C

Density 

2.32 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

Flash point:

>306°C

storage temp. 

Poison room

Water Solubility 

Insoluble in water.

BRN 

637234

Exposure limits

ACGIH: TWA 0.1 mg/m3 (Skin)
NIOSH: IDLH 10 mg/m3; TWA 0.05 mg/m3; Ceiling 0.1 mg/m3

CAS DataBase Reference

587-85-9(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Mercury, diphenyl- (587-85-9)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

T+,N

Risk Statements 

26/27/28-33-50/53

Safety Statements 

13-28-36-45-60-61

RIDADR 

UN 2026 6.1/PG 3

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

OW3150000

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

6.1

PackingGroup 

II

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H300Fatal if swallowed

H310Fatal in contact with skin

H330Fatal if inhaled

H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

H400Very toxic to aquatic life

H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P273Avoid release to the environment.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P284Wear respiratory protection.

P301+P310IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.

P320Specific treatment is urgent (see … on this label).

P330Rinse mouth.

P405Store locked up.

Diphenylmercury Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

White to beige powder

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. Incompatible with nonmetal oxides. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Hg. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS.

Purification Methods

Sublime it, then crystallise it from nitromethane or ethanol. If phenylmercuric halides are present, they can be converted to phenylmercuric hydroxide which, being much more soluble, remain in the alcohol or *benzene used for crystallisation. Thus, crude material (10g) is dissolved in warm ethanol (ca 150mL) and shaken with moist Ag2O (ca 10g) for 30minutes, then heated under reflux for 30minutes and filtered hot. Concentrating the filtrate by evaporation gives diphenylmercury, which is then recrystallised from *benzene [Blair et al. J Chem Soc 3174 1959]. [Beilstein 16 IV 1702.] TOXIC.