mercuric chloride
Toxic mercury compound
Mercuric chloride is a toxic compound of mercury and chlorine, historically used as a disinfectant, preservative, and in photography.
Also called corrosive sublimate, it was once common in medicine despite its extreme toxicity—ingestion causes severe damage to the digestive tract and kidneys.
Now largely replaced by safer alternatives in most applications.
Agent destroying surface pathogens
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- corrosive sublimateToxic mercury-based chemical compound
wound treatment · iodine · antisepsis · topical · dilution · infection control
Harmful ingested substance
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- corrosiveDestroys by chemical action
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- fatalCausing death or ruin
carcinogenic · neurotoxic · bioaccumulation · nephrotoxic · chronic exposure · contamination · environmental hazard · occupational hazard
Agent enabling change
- chlor-alkaliBrine electrolysis industry
- electrochemistryStudy of current-reaction interplay
- reagentSubstance prompting chemical change
- chemical synthesisCreating substances through reactions
amalgamation · photography · daguerreotype · tanning · dyeing · mordant · wood treatment · battery
disinfectant
Agent destroying surface pathogens
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
corrosive sublimate · wound treatment · iodine · antisepsis · topical · dilution · infection control
poison
Harmful ingested substance
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- corrosiveDestroys by chemical action
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
fatal · carcinogenic · neurotoxic · bioaccumulation · nephrotoxic · chronic exposure · contamination · environmental hazard · occupational hazard · ingestion
catalyst
Agent enabling change
- chlor-alkaliBrine electrolysis industry
- electrochemistryStudy of current-reaction interplay
- reagentSubstance prompting chemical change
chemical synthesis · amalgamation · photography · daguerreotype · tanning · dyeing · mordant · wood treatment · battery · laboratory
embalming
Preserving dead bodies chemically
- Lab Chemicalssodium hydroxide, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, silver nitrate, copper sulfate
- mercury pollutionmethylmercury, Minamata disease, EPA standards, cinnabar, dental amalgam
- metal compoundsiron oxide, copper sulfate, zinc oxide, copper oxide, tin oxide
- Halidessodium fluoride, potassium iodide, fluoride, bromide, iodide
- Mercury Compoundscalomel, corrosive sublimate, methylmercury, thimerosal, cinnabar
- Causticscaustic soda, lye, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, silver nitrate
mercury, mercurial, chlorine, chloride, chlorination, chlorides, mercuric, mercurially, chlorinator