What is the Difference Between Mercuric and Mercurous?

The main difference between mercuric and mercurous lies in the oxidation states of the mercury atom in each compound. Mercury exists in three oxidation states: 0 (metallic), +1 (mercurous), and +2 (mercuric).

• Mercurous: This term refers to compounds containing Hg(I) cations, which have an oxidation state of +1. Mercurous compounds often undergo disproportionation, producing black metallic mercury and mercury(II) compounds. An example of a mercurous compound is mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
• Mercuric: This term refers to compounds containing Hg(II) cations, which have an oxidation state of +2. Mercuric compounds are more stable than mercurous compounds. An example of a mercuric compound is mercuric chloride (HgCl₂).

In summary, the key difference between mercuric and mercurous is the oxidation state of the mercury atom in the compound: mercuric compounds have an oxidation state of +2, while mercurous compounds have an oxidation state of +1.

Comparative Table: Mercuric vs Mercurous

Mercuric and mercurous are two different cations of the element mercury. The key difference between them lies in their oxidation states and chemical formulas. Here is a table illustrating the differences between mercuric and mercurous:

Mercuric compounds are named using the prefix "mercuric" (e.g., mercuric chloride), while mercurous compounds are named using the prefix "mercurous" (e.g., mercurous chloride). Mercuric ions are divalent cations, meaning they have a +2 net positive charge, while mercurous ions are monovalent cations with a +1 net positive charge. Mercury ions can undergo disproportionation reactions, where mercurous ions gain a positive charge and turn into mercuric ions, and vice versa.