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Oxides and peroxides

Mercuric oxide

Also known as Mercury(II) oxide, oxomercury, Mercuric oxide, red

CAS 21908-53-2Formula HgOMolar mass 216.59 g/molEC 244-654-7
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Acute toxicity (severe), Serious health hazard, Hazardous to the environment 35 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Mercuric oxide chemical structure, HgO, CAS 21908-53-2
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Yellow mercuric oxide: yellow or orange-yellow, heavy, powder, orthorhombic structure
Melting point
500 °C
Density
11.1 g/cm³
Solubility
0.0053 G/100 CC WATER @ 25 °C
HS code
285210
Category
Oxides and peroxides
UN number
UN 1641
Illustrative photo, yellow pigment powder in an open kraft paper sack in a chemical plant
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Mercuric oxide?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Mercuric oxide, [solid] appears as red or orange-red odorless, dense crystalline powder or scales, yellow when finely powdered. Used as a chemical intermediate for mercury salts, organic mercury compounds, and chlorine monoxide, antiseptic in pharmaceuticals, component of dry cell batteries, pigment and glass modifier, fungicide, preservative in cosmetics, analytical reagent, formerly used in antifouling paints. (EPA, 1998)

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
oxomercury
CAS number
21908-53-2 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 12653-71-3
EC number
244-654-7
Molecular formula
HgO
UNII
IY191986AO
INCI name
MERCURIC OXIDE
InChIKey
UKWHYYKOEPRTIC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/Hg.O
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
O=[Hg]

Synonyms

  • Mercury(II) oxide
  • oxomercury
  • Mercuric oxide, red
  • Santar
  • Red Precipitate
  • Red mercuric oxide
  • Mercury oxide (HgO)
  • Mercuric oxide, yellow
  • Santar M
  • Yellow precipitate
  • Mercuric oxide red
  • Natural montroydite
  • Mercury(2+) oxide
  • Red oxide of mercury
  • Gelbes quecksilberoxyd
  • Hydrargyrum oxid flav
  • Yellow mercuric oxide
  • Mercuric oxide (red)
  • Oxide mercurique jaune
  • Mercuric oxide (HgO)
  • Yellow oxide of mercury
  • Oxido amarillo de mercurio
  • Oxyde de mercure
  • CI 77760
  • C.I. 77760
Show all 37 synonyms
  • Mercurius praecipitatus ruber
  • mercury(II)oxide
  • Oxyde mercurique
  • Mercuric(II) oxide red
  • Mercuric oxide yellow
  • Mercury(II) oxide red
  • Hydrargyrum oxydatum rubrum
  • Quecksilberoxyd
  • Oxyde mercurique [ISO-French]
  • (Oxido)mercury
  • oxido de mercurio
  • ossido di mercurio

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Yellow mercuric oxide: yellow or orange-yellow, heavy, powder, orthorhombic structureexp.
Odour
Odorlessexp.
Melting point
500 °Cexp.
Density
11.1 g/cm³exp.
Solubility
0.0053 G/100 CC WATER @ 25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
216.59 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
217.9656 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-0.12calc.
Topological polar surface area
17.07 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
2calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS06: Acute toxicity (severe)
Acute toxicity (severe)
GHS08: Serious health hazard
Serious health hazard
GHS09: Hazardous to the environment
Hazardous to the environment

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 (21)
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P273Avoid release to the environment.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P284In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
  • P301 + P316If swallowed: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P320Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P361 + P364Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P391Collect spillage.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 1641
Transport hazard class
6.1
Packing group
II

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Mercuric oxide suppliers

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Where suppliers are based

35 suppliers in 7 countries

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Mercuric oxide price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

For Mercuric Oxide (USEPA/OPP PC Code: 052102) there are 0 labels match.

Yellow mercuric oxide: for determining zinc or hydrogen cyanide, detecting acetic acid in formic acid, CO in gas mixtures.

Red mercuric oxide: in marine bottom paints, diluting pigments for painting on porcelain, with graphite as depolarizer in dry batteries, in Kjeldahl nitrogen detn, as reagent for citric acid, thiophene, glucose, aldehyde, urea, acetone, as reagent and catalyst in organic reactions.

Fungicide ... as paste for wound sealing and canker treatment of fruit trees and rubber trees. Not to be used for sealing graft wounds or for treating pruning cuts in first year (Yellow oxide of mercury).

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name MERCURIC OXIDE(antimicrobial)

Functional uses

  • Biocide

Cosmetic functions

  • Antimicrobial

How it is made

To a concn aq solution of hg bichloride ... A 5% solution of naoh is ... Added ... Precipitated oxide is washed ... By decantation with purified water ... Collected on a filter & washed with purified water ... It is then dried in dark @ about 50 °c.

By heating mercurous nitrate

By heating mercury in oxygen ...

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce, Regulatory flags: Section 12(c) export ban

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Mercuric oxide is traded under.

HS 2852.10Indicative HS code

Chemically defined

World exports in 2024
$7.97M
−4.4% vs 2023, imports $9.26M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Germany34.6%
  2. Thailand18.6%
  3. India * partner reported15.5%
Top importers
  1. Germany19.2%
  2. Vietnam * partner reported17.4%
  3. Thailand6.0%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Mercuric oxide is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Mercuric oxide, based on the data on this page

What is Mercuric oxide?

Mercuric oxide, [solid] appears as red or orange-red odorless, dense crystalline powder or scales, yellow when finely powdered.

What is Mercuric oxide used for?

For Mercuric Oxide (USEPA/OPP PC Code: 052102) there are 0 labels match. Yellow mercuric oxide: for determining zinc or hydrogen cyanide, detecting acetic acid in formic acid, CO in gas mixtures.

Is Mercuric oxide hazardous?

Mercuric oxide carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: fatal if swallowed, fatal in contact with skin, fatal if inhaled. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Mercuric oxide

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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