COPRECIPITATION OF MERCURY(II) WITH IRON(III) HYDROXIDE

Coprecipitation of mercury (II) with iron (III) hydroxide as a function of pH in the range of pH 4 to 12 was studied in the presence and absence of halogenide ions except iodide ion. Mercury (II) is coprecipitated with iron (III) hydroxide in the whole range of pH studied. Fluoride ion does not affect the coprecipitation. Chloride and bromide ions suppress the coprecipitation at lower pH values, depending on the stability of mercury (II)-halogenide complexes and the concentration of these halogenide ions. The mercury (II) species coprecipitated was inferred to be Hg(OH)2 from the chemical equilibrium considerations. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.