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Metals, alloys and elements

Mercury

Also known as Quicksilver, Hydrargyrum, Liquid silver

CAS 7439-97-6Formula HgMolar mass 200.59 g/molEC 231-106-7
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Acute toxicity (severe), Serious health hazard, Hazardous to the environment Controlled, licensed buyers only Drug substance
Request as a licensed buyer Safety data
Element with atomic number and standard atomic weight

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Silver-white, heavy, mobile, liquid metal, solid mercury is tin-white
Melting point
-38.9 °C
Boiling point
356.7 °C
Density
13.5 g/cm³
Solubility
0.28 umoles/l of water at 25 °C
HS code
280540
Category
Metals, alloys and elements
UN number
UN 2809

What is Mercury?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Mercury(0) is elemental mercury of oxidation state zero. It has a role as a neurotoxin.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
mercury
CAS number
7439-97-6 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
231-106-7
Molecular formula
Hg
UNII
FXS1BY2PGL
MDL number
MFCD00011035
InChIKey
QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/Hg
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
[Hg]

Synonyms

  • Quicksilver
  • Hydrargyrum
  • Liquid silver
  • Metallic mercury
  • Quecksilber
  • Mercure
  • Mercurio
  • Colloidal mercury
  • Kwik
  • Mercurius vivus
  • Mercury, elemental
  • Mercury metal
  • Hg
  • Mercury element
  • Dietary Mercury
  • Mercury metal: Colloidal mercury
  • Mercurius 12X
  • Mercurius 21X
  • Mercurius vivus 8
  • Mercurius vivus 6X
  • Mercurius Vivus 30X
  • Total mercury
  • Mercurius auratus 15X
  • Mercurius vivus 200C
  • Mercurius vivus 5 Special Order
Show all 38 synonyms
  • Mercurius Vivus 6 Special Order
  • Mercurius vivus 12 Special Order
  • Mercurius auratus 15 Special Order
  • Mercurius 10/20/30 Special Order
  • Mercurius vivus 10/20/30 Special Order
  • mercury(II)
  • mercury(II) cation
  • Mercury(II) ion
  • Quick silver
  • Rtec
  • elemental mercury
  • RCRA waste number U151
  • mercury atom

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
Silver-white, heavy, mobile, liquid metal, solid mercury is tin-whiteexp.
Odour
Odorlessexp.
Melting point
-38.9 °Cexp.
Boiling point
356.7 °Cexp.
Density
13.5 g/cm³exp.
Autoignition temperature
Not flammableexp.
Solubility
0.28 umoles/l of water at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
2 × 10⁻³ mm Hg @ 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
200.59 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
201.9706 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0calc.
Topological polar surface area
0 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
0calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
1calc.
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

  • H330Fatal if inhaled.
  • H360DMay damage the unborn child.
  • H372Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
  • H400Very toxic to aquatic life.
  • H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements (17)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • 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.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P320Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • 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 2809
Transport hazard class
8
Packing group
III

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

Mercury suppliers

Controlled substance, listings of documented suppliers only, in the documented ranking

Controlled or monitored substance

Mercury is controlled. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed before suppliers see it.

Licensed buyers only, every enquiry is reviewed by our compliance team.

Reference: Minamata Convention on Mercury

Our policy on controlled substances
No documented supplier lists it yet

Licensed buyers can post a request for Mercury with their licence. Our compliance team reviews it before suppliers see it.

Request as a licensed buyer

Mercury price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

For Elemental Mercury (USEPA/OPP PC Code: 052301) there are 0 labels match.

In barometers, thermometers, hydrometers, pyrometers, in mercury arc lamps producing ultraviolet rays, in switches, fluorescent lamps, in mercury boilers, mfr all mercury salts, mirrors, catalyst in oxidn of org cmpd, extracting gold and silver from ores, electric rectifiers, making mercury fulminate, for Millon's reagent, as cathode in electrolysis, electroanalysis.

Component of batteries (eg, zinc-carbon & mercury cells), industrial & control instruments (eg, meters), & amalgams (eg, for dental preparations), agent in manufacture of wire & switching devices (eg, oscillators), cathode in electrolytic manufacture of chlorine & caustic soda, catalyst for urethane & epoxy resins, laboratory reagent, lubricant (eg, in turbines).

Metallic mercury (quicksilver) has been employed in India to fumigate and protect grain

Read more

in closed containers from ... insect infestation.

Mercury exists naturally in the earth’s crust, and is released by degassing of the earth’s crust, volcanic emissions, and through evaporation. It can be obtained by heating mercury containing ores and condensing the vapors. Mercury is used in many industries, especially the electrical industry, and in many instruments such as thermometers and barometers. It has been used clinically, but because of its toxicity this use is diminishing. Most people are exposed to mercury through diet and dental fillings. Mercury is odorless. This card will only address elemental mercury.

Industrial uses: Laboratory chemicals, Processing aids not otherwise specified.

Consumer uses: Processing aids not otherwise specified.

Use classes: Inorganic substances.

Roles

  • aetiopathogenetic role
  • neurotoxin
  • poison

Functional uses

  • Surface modifier

Pharmacology

Mercury is a naturally occurring trace metalloid element and known neurotoxin with atomic symbol Hg, atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury has been used in manufacturing, as well as in dental and medical equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides. It is characterized as a heavy, silvery-white metallic liquid at room temperature that is odorless. Exposure occurs by inhalation of fumes, ingestion, or contact.

How it is made

Condensation of mercury vapor from mercury ore roasting or from heating secondary mercury-eg, from batteries or sludges & wastes

Obtained by roasting cinnabar (mercuric sulfide).

By heating cinnabar with lime and condensing the vapor.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Controlled or monitored substance

Mercury is controlled. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed before suppliers see it.

Licensed buyers only, every enquiry is reviewed by our compliance team.

Reference: Minamata Convention on Mercury

Our policy on controlled substances

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 080-001-00-0

Health and food

  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II, prohibited in cosmetics
    Name: Mercury and its compounds, except those special cases included in Annex V, Ref no: 221, Annex ref: II/221
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

Other lists

  • Other regulatory list

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce, Regulatory flags: Significant new use rule, 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 Mercury is traded under.

HS 2805.40Exact HS code

Mercury

World exports in 2024
$15.4M
−47.4% vs 2023, imports $14M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Kyrgyzstan * partner reported39.8%
  2. Japan17.1%
  3. Peru13.0%
Top importers
  1. South Africa66.3%
  2. Argentina8.9%
  3. India * partner reported8.5%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

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

The HS code shown for Mercury is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Mercury, based on the data on this page

What is Mercury?

Mercury(0) is elemental mercury of oxidation state zero. It has a role as a neurotoxin.

What is the CAS number of Mercury?

The CAS registry number of Mercury is 7439-97-6.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Mercury?

The molecular formula of Mercury is Hg and its molar mass is 200.59 g/mol.

What is Mercury used for?

For Elemental Mercury (USEPA/OPP PC Code: 052301) there are 0 labels match. In barometers, thermometers, hydrometers, pyrometers, in mercury arc lamps producing ultraviolet rays, in switches, fluorescent lamps, in mercury boilers, mfr all mercury salts, mirrors, catalyst in oxidn of org cmpd, extracting gold and silve…

Is Mercury hazardous?

Mercury carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: fatal if inhaled, may damage the unborn child, causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Mercury?

Mercury is usually classified under HS code 280540 (Mercury). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Can I buy Mercury on CompoundList?

Mercury is a controlled substance. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed by our compliance team before suppliers see it.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Mercury

Request as a licensed buyer

Upload your licence with the request. Our compliance team reviews it before the documented suppliers see it.
Request as a licensed buyer
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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