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Product Name: Phenylmercuric Nitrate
Chemical Formula: C6H5HgNO3
CAS Number: 55-68-5
Synonyms: Nitric acid, phenylmercury(2+) salt; Phenylmercuric nitrate (1:1)
Supplier/Manufacturer: Product source varies; always consult label or supplier
Use: Preservative, antifungal in pharmaceutical applications, used in some industrial reactions
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity, oral (Category 2); Acute toxicity, dermal (Category 2); Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure); Hazardous to aquatic life
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, Health Hazard, Environment
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Fatal if swallowed, in contact with skin, or inhaled. Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all contact. Do not breathe dust, fumes, or mist. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, and face protection.
Chemical Name: Phenylmercuric Nitrate
Concentration: 95–100%
Impurities: Trace amounts of nitrate and other mercury compounds may exist depending on supplier
Ingredient Role: Main hazardous component
Common Additives: None for reagent-grade materials
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately. Provide oxygen if breathing is difficult. Seek medical attention at once for any respiratory symptoms.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Seek emergency medical attention without delay.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses only if it is easy to do. Seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Ingestion: Never induce vomiting. Rinse mouth. Seek immediate medical assistance. Treatment requires urgent hospital care due to risk of mercury toxicity.
General Advice: Mercury compounds can cause delayed, serious health problems; observe closely for symptoms even after apparent recovery from direct contact.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use direct water jet; avoid generating contaminated runoff
Hazardous Combustion Products: Toxic mercury vapors, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide and dioxide may be released
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus, complete chemical-resistant gear
Special Hazards: Do not enter area without full protective equipment. Mercury compounds give off hazardous fumes under fire conditions.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate personnel not wearing protective clothing. Ventilate area. Avoid breathing vapors or dust. Avoid skin and eye contact.
Protective Equipment: Chemical resistant gloves and suit, face shield, and approved respirator required for cleanup staff.
Spill Cleanup: Absorb small spills with inert material such as vermiculite, then place waste in suitable container. Prevent larger spills from spreading. Avoid entry into sewers and waterways.
Decontamination: Wash down area with dilute sodium thiosulfate solution to reduce remaining mercury residues.
Disposal of Collected Material: Dispose material as hazardous waste according to local and national regulations.
Handling Precautions: Work in well-ventilated lab setting. Prevent dust and vapor formation. Do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
Storage Conditions: Keep container tightly closed in dry, cool, properly ventilated place. Store in secure location away from incompatible substances like reducing agents, ammonia, and strong acids.
Container Materials: Use only glass, plastic, or lined steel containers resistant to mercury compounds.
Special Storage Requirements: Place warning labels on storage area; restrict access to authorized personnel only.
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV for mercury compounds (skin): 0.01 mg/m3; OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg/m3 (ceiling)
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood or local exhaust system is essential. Maintain negative pressure in storage and handling areas.
Eye and Face Protection: Chemical splash goggles and full-face shield required.
Skin Protection: Gloves made of butyl rubber or laminated multilayer barrier; lab suit or apron.
Respiratory Protection: Approved respirators; use air-purifying type with mercury vapor cartridges if needed.
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing; do not reuse until properly decontaminated.
Appearance: White to yellow crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point / Freezing Point: 121–123°C
Boiling Point / Range: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohol, and organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C; decomposes forming toxic vapors
Density: 3.517 g/cm3
Other Data: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions.
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, sensitive to heat and light
Possible Hazardous Reactions: May react violently with ammonia, amines, hypophosphites, strong acids and strong reducing agents
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid exposure to excessive heat, sunlight, moisture, and incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers and reducers, alkali metals, elemental sulfur, ammonia compounds
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Mercury vapor, nitrogen oxides, phenol derivatives
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Highly toxic by all routes; oral LD50 (rat) 18 mg/kg
Symptoms: Headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tremor, gingivitis, vision disturbances, confusion
Chronic Effects: May cause kidney damage, damage to nervous system, reproductive and developmental toxicity
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a human carcinogen by IARC or NTP
Other Health Hazards: Mercury compounds are teratogenic and embryotoxic at sufficient doses
Sensitization: May cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Persistence and Degradability: Mercury compounds persist in soil and water, can bioaccumulate in food chains
Bioaccumulation Potential: High; methylation by microbes in water can transform it into even more hazardous species
Mobility in Soil: Moderate; can leach to ground water under certain conditions
Other Adverse Effects: Wastewater effluent containing mercury compounds has led to widespread regulatory concern for human and ecosystem health
Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste. Incineration or chemically secure landfill disposal only by licensed hazardous waste contractor.
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers with suitable solvent, then puncture and dispose in accordance with environmental regulations.
Precautions for Disposal: Prevent entry of material into water sources, soil, or drains.
Regulatory Compliance: Must follow all local, federal, and international rules about mercury waste.
UN Number: UN 1641
UN Proper Shipping Name: Phenylmercuric Nitrate
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substance)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Toxic, Marine Pollutant
Special Transportation Guidance: Avoid breakage, leakage, or generation of dust during transport. Notify authorities immediately if spill occurs during transit.
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant. Follow hazardous material shipping regulations.
OSHA Status: Regulated hazardous substance
SARA Title III: Subject to reporting under Section 313 (toxic chemicals), Section 302 (extremely hazardous substances), and Section 304 (emergency release notification)
TSCA: Listed
RCRA: Mercury compounds are listed hazardous wastes (D009)
CERCLA: Reportable quantity for mercury compounds is 1 pound
Other Regulations: Many states and countries treat mercury compounds with heightened regulation due to ecological persistence and toxicity. Full regulatory review is necessary for any industrial use.
