Mercuric amidochloride is an inorganic compound with the formula HgNH2Cl. It consists of a zig-zag 1-dimensional polymer (HgNH2)n with chloride counterions.[1][2] It arises from the reaction of ammonia and mercuric chloride. Addition of base converts it into “Millon’s base,” which has the formula [Hg2N]OH(H2O)x. A variety of related amido and nitrido materials with chloride, bromide, and hydroxide are known.[3]
Before the toxicity of mercury was appreciated, mercuric amidochloride, known as “ammoniated mercury”, was used as a topicalantiseptic and disinfectant.[4][5]
Eli Lilly & Company – Ointment No. 8 – Ammoniated Mercury 10%
See also
Merbromin, also known as “Mercurochrome”, another antiseptic mercury compound
