Mercury nitrate

Poison by ingestion, skin contact, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes. A powerful oxidizer. Probably an eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant. Reacts with acetylene to form the explosive mercury acetylide which is sensitive to heat, friction, or contact with sulfuric acid. Reaction with ethanol forms the explosive mercury fulminate. Reaction with isobutene forms an unstable explosive product. Forms explosive mixtures with phosphine (heat- and impact-sensitive), potassium cyanide (heat-sensitive), and sulfur. Violent reaction with phosphinic acid, hypophosphoric acid, unsaturated hydrocarbons, aromatics. Vigorous reaction with petroleum hydrocarbons. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Hg and NOx. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS, INORGANIC; and NITRATES.