[JanetteB]

I am doing a project in my quantitative analysis class that requires mercuric nitrate, however I was told that the solution we have is too wet.  Does anyone know how I can dry mercuric nitrate?  Or, does anyone know of any sources that might lead me to this information?

Any help would be appreciated!  Thanks

[nj_bartel]

Is there a reason you couldn't stick under vacuum into an oil bath?

[JanetteB]

I'm not sure what vacuuming suctioning into an oil bath entails.  (I'm also not sure that our lab has a vacuum that's good enough).  I'm sort of a chemistry novice

[nj_bartel]

Well, assuming there's not a reason this wouldn't work for mercuric nitrate, a typical way to dry a sample would be to put your sample in a vial and put a fold over stopper (can't remember the name) - it's a twist in plug that you fold the lips over the rim of the vial.  You then stick a needle in the stopper.  This entire container is then placed in a glass container that hooks up to vacuum from the schlenk line.  You then just let it sit like that for a couple hours.  Sorry about my lack of terminology =/  Drawing a series of blanks.

[Fleaker]

I am doing a project in my quantitative analysis class that requires mercuric nitrate, however I was told that the solution we have is too wet.  Does anyone know how I can dry mercuric nitrate?  Or, does anyone know of any sources that might lead me to this information?

Any help would be appreciated!  Thanks

This I find amusing! The solution is too wet! heheh, are you sure your instructor isn't just being humorous?

If indeed the problem is that your mercury nitrate is hydrated, your best solution is vacuum dessication in a proper dessicator over the usual choice, P2O5. If you try heating, make sure you do it in a deep beaker as there is the possibility of the metal salt popping about, which is not a good situation given the toxicity of mercury nitrate. Assuming that this is mercury (II) nitrate, be careful to avoid overheating or you'll decompose it to nitrogen dioxide and mercuric oxide which will then need redissolved in nitric acid and the whole evaporation process repeated.


nj_bartel, when you talk of Schlenk line, I immediately think of septum, was that the word you were looking for?

[nj_bartel]

Yes it was, thanks 

[JanetteB]

Thanks for the advice nj_bartel and fleaker.....unfortunately our lab didn't have the appropriate equipment for vacuum dessication, so I had to choose another project.