JEE MainChemistryPractical Chemistry
When ammonia gas is passed through an alkaline solution of potassium tetraiodomercurate(II), a precipitate is formed. The colour and the chemical formula of this precipitate are respectively:
Options
- ABrown, HgI ₂
- BYellow, HgO Hg ( NH ₂) I
- CWhite, Hg ( NH ₂) Cl
- DBrown, HgO Hg ( NH ₂) I
Correct answer
D. Brown, HgO Hg ( NH ₂) I
Step-by-step solution
An alkaline solution of potassium tetraiodomercurate(II) ( K ₂[ HgI ₄] + KOH ) is known as Nessler's reagent. When ammonia gas is passed through Nessler's reagent, it reacts to form a brown precipitate of the iodide of Millon's base. The chemical reaction is given by: 2 K ₂[ HgI ₄] + NH ₃ + 3 KOH HgO Hg ( NH ₂) I + 7 KI + 2 H ₂ O Thus, the precipitate is brown in colour and its chemical formula is HgO Hg ( NH ₂) I . Answer: Brown, HgO Hg ( NH ₂) I