Mercury sulfide



Mercury sulfide
Other names cinnabar, vermillion
Identifiers
CAS number 1344-48-5
Properties
Molecular formula HgS
Molar mass 232.66 g mol−1
Density 8.10 g cm−3
Melting point

583.5°C

Boiling point

N/A

Solubility in other solvents insoluble
Related Compounds
Other anions Mercury telluride; Cadmium sulfide
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Mercury sulfide, mercurous sulfide, or mercury(II) sulfide is a chemical compound composed of the chemical elements chemical formula HgS. Because it is virtually insoluble in water, it isn't toxic (unlike most of the other mercury compounds).

Mercury sulfide occurs in two allotropes, most easily characterized by their color:

  • The red ore, vermilion can be extracted from it.
  • The black ore, metacinnabar (β-HgS), is less common. It is used in pigments and adopts the crystal structure.

See also

References
     
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