Hg2Cl2 (s) → Hg (l) + HgCl2 (s)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

HgI - 1 e- → HgII (oxidation)

HgI + e- → Hg0 (reduction)

Hg2Cl2 is both an oxidizing and a reducing agent (disproportionation (dismutation)).

Reactants:

  • Hg2Cl2 – Dimercury dichloride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Other names: Mercury(I) chloride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Mercurous chloride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Calomel source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: White solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; White crystalline powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04

Products:

  • Hg
    • Names: Mercury source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Hg source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Quicksilver source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Odourless heavy mobile silvery liquid metal source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • HgCl2 – Mercury(II) chloride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Mercury dichloride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Other names: Mercuric chloride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Corrosive sublimate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, ClHgCl source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Colorless or white solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; White crystals or powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04