Question

Which statements about corrosive sublimate are correct? $HgC{l_2}$
$A.$ It sublimes on heating
$B.$ It oxidizes stannous chloride
$C.$ It is highly poisonous
$D.$ It is prepared by heating mercury in chlorine.

Answer 1

Mercuric chloride is the chemical compound of mercury and chlorine with the formula $HgC{l_2}$ . It is white crystalline solid and is a laboratory reagent and a molecular compound. Its molar mass is $271.52g/mol$ .

Complete step by step answer
The question has multiple correct answers. Let's check them one by one.
When $HgC{l_2}$ is heated it sublimates and has corrosive action. Hence it is known as corrosive sublimate. It is also an oxidizing agent; it oxidizes the stannous chloride. It itself reduced to mercurous chloride and to metallic mercury with excess of stannous chloride. It is highly poisonous to human beings and animals and it can be prepared by heating mercury in the chlorine.
Thus, all the statements are correct. So, the correct options are A,B,C\ & D .

Additional Information
Mercuric chloride “corrosive sublimate” is very toxic to humans. It is used as a treatment of syphilis, it is no longer used for medicinal purposes because of mercury toxicity. It is colorless or white solid. It has orthogonal crystal structure and linear molecule shape with zero dipole moment. The main application of mercuric chloride is as a catalyst for the conversion of acetylene to vinyl chloride, the precursor to polyvinyl chloride. Other significant applications of mercuric chloride it uses as a depolarizer in batteries and as a reagent in organic synthesis.

Note
Mercuric chloride is extremely toxic, both acutely and as a cumulative poison. Its toxicity is due not just to its mercury present but also its corrosive properties which can cause the internal damage such as ulcer to the stomach, mouth and throat. It also tends to accumulate in the kidneys, causing severe corrosive damage which can lead to acute kidney failure.