Characteristic

Mercury(II) iodide is a chemical compound with the molecular formula HgI₂. It is typically produced synthetically but can also be found in nature as the extremely rare mineral coccinite. 

Chemical formula：HgI₂

Molar mass：454.40 g/mol

Appearance：orange-red powder

Odor：odorless

Density：6.36 g/cm³

Melting point：259 °C (498 °F; 532 K)

Boiling point：350 °C (662 °F; 623 K)

Solubility in water：0.006 g/100 mL

Solubility：slightly soluble in alcohol

Magnetic susceptibility (χ)：−128.6·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol

Refractive index (nD)：2.455

Crystal structure：Tetrahedral

Application

Mercury(II) iodide is used for preparation of Nessler's reagent, used for detection of presence of ammonia.

Mercury(II) iodide is a semiconductor material, used in some x-ray and gamma ray detection and imaging devices operating at room temperatures.

In veterinary medicine, mercury(II) iodide is used in blister ointments in exostoses, bursal enlargement, etc.

It can appear as a precipitate in many reactions.

Mercury Iodide_MSDS.pdf