mercury chloride: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) is highly toxic and soluble, historically used as a disinfectant. Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂), also known as calomel, is less soluble and was used in medicine (e.g., as a laxative) before its toxicity was fully understood.

Its use is severely restricted due to high toxicity and environmental persistence. It may have very niche applications in industrial catalysts or specialised laboratory synthesis, but safer alternatives are preferred.

It is highly toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, causing severe damage to the kidneys, nervous system, and digestive tract. It is also corrosive and a persistent environmental pollutant.

Typically uncountable. You refer to 'mercury chloride' as a substance. To specify types, you say 'forms of mercury chloride' or 'the two mercury chlorides' (though the latter is less common in formal writing).

A chemical compound consisting of mercury and chlorine, existing in two main forms: mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂) and mercuric chloride (HgCl₂).

Mercury chloride is usually technical/scientific in register.

Mercury chloride: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɜː.kjə.ri ˈklɔː.raɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɝː.kjə.ri ˈklɔːr.aɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.