Chemistry Forum

C₂H₅OH(aq)+Hg(NO₃)₂(aq)--> Hg(CNO)₂(s)+?
I have been trying to figure it out for a while. Ethanol and Mercury nitrate can form Mercury Fulminate and the other has been bugging me
Please help.

It's carbon dioxide and water!

4 C2H5OH + 3 Hg(NO3)2 = 3 Hg(ONC)2 + 2 CO2 + 12 H2O

Mercury fulminate is synthesized in excess nitric acid, to catalyse the reaction, but this will also produce NO2 from the competing reaction:

C2H5OH + 12 HNO3 = 12 NO2 + 2 CO2 + 9 H2O

Mercury fulminate is rather explosive, and quite sensitive to heat, shock, and friction.

GrahamKemp wrote:It's carbon dioxide and water!

Well, i'm a bit...Shocked
i'll take your word for it and i'm very thankful to say the least