mercurous chloride

American  

noun

Pharmacology.

1. calomel.

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mercurous chloride British  

noun

1. Systematic name: mercury(I) chloride.  Also called: calomel.  a white tasteless insoluble powder used as a fungicide and formerly as a medical antiseptic, cathartic, and diuretic. Formula: Hg 2 Cl 2

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Etymology

Origin of mercurous chloride

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Being insoluble, mercurous chloride is precipitated as a white solid when a soluble chloride is added to a solution of mercurous nitrate: HgNO3 + NaCl = HgCl + NaNO3.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

Thus mercuric chloride is changed into mercurous chloride: SnCl2 + 2HgCl2 = SnCl4 + 2HgCl.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

The specific value of mercurous chloride is that it exerts the valuable properties of mercuric chloride in the safest and least irritant manner, as the active salt is continuously and freshly generated in small quantities.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various

Silver chloride, lead chloride, and mercurous chloride are insoluble in water and acids, and can be prepared by adding hydrochloric acid to solutions of compounds of the respective elements.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

The molecular weight of mercurous chloride has given occasion for much discussion.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various