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Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Wil" on August 29, 2007, 09:00:31 AM

Title: Mercury(I) Nitrite
Post by: Wil" on August 29, 2007, 09:00:31 AM

I have a question.
It's about the Mercury(I) Nitrite.
I know Mercury(I) ion should exist as a pair, as Hg2 2+, right?
So
1.which of the following chemical formula of Mercury(I) Nitrite is correct?
HgNO2 or Hg2(NO2)2
2. Does HgNO2 equal Hg2(NO2)2?

I did do some research before, but I found both the chemical formulae can be used for this compound, and I'm really confused....what is actually happened on this compound...are they both correct, or either one is correct??

Please explain it to me...
Thanks!

Title: Re: Mercury(I) Nitrite
Post by: Dan on August 30, 2007, 07:30:35 AM

1. The former is the empirical formula, the latter is the molecular formula. Both are correct formulas, but it depends on how much detail you want/need.

2. See 1.

An example of a mercury(I) compound *here* (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury%28I%29_chloride)