Mercury(II) stearate is a metal-organic compound, a salt of mercury and stearic acid with the chemical formula . The compound is classified as a metallic soap, i.e. a metal derivative of a fatty acid. The compound is highly toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption.
Preparation It is prepared via an exchange reaction of sodium stearate and mercury(II) chloride:
It may also be prepared by heating mercury(I) oxide () with stearic acid.
Uses It is used as a germicide and as a plasticizer in the production of ceramics.
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