Phenylmercuric acetate is an
organomercury compound
Organomercury refers to the group of organometallic compounds that contain mercury. Typically the Hg–C bond is stable toward air and moisture but sensitive to light. Important organomercury compounds are the methylmercury(II) cation, CH3Hg+; e ...
used as a
preservative
A preservative is a substance or a chemical that is added to products such as food products, beverages, pharmaceutical drugs, paints, biological samples, cosmetics, wood, and many other products to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or b ...
,
disinfectant
A disinfectant is a chemical substance or compound used to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces. Disinfection does not necessarily kill all microorganisms, especially resistant bacterial spores; it is less effective than s ...
, and
antitranspirant
Antitranspirants are compounds applied to the leaves of plants to reduce transpiration. They are used on Christmas trees, on cut flowers, on newly transplanted shrubs, and in other applications to preserve and protect plants from drying out too qu ...
.
Properties
Phenylmercuric acetate forms colorless, lustrous crystals, and is soluble in ethanol, benzene, acetic acid, and sparingly in water.
Applications
Phenylmercuric acetate has been used as a preservative in eyedrops and paint, disinfectant, former fungicide in agriculture, and a potential fungicide in leather processing.
It kills
crabgrass
''Digitaria'' is a genus of plants in the grass family native to tropical and warm temperate regions but can occur in tropical, subtropical, and cooler temperate regions as well. Common names include crabgrass, finger-grass, and fonio. They are ...
, the seedlings of which are especially vulnerable, but leaves most lawn grasses intact. It exhibits anti-fungal activity against a broad range of ocular pathogenic fungi, with the greatest activity against ''Fusarium'' spp, and has been investigated as a potential treatment for
keratomycosis.
Phenylmercuric acetate was used for disinfecting mucous membranes, but due to toxicological and ecotoxicological reasons, is no longer used.
In the 1950s, phenylmercuric acetate was used as a catalyst in 3M Tartan brand polyurethane flexible floors, a common flooring used public buildings, especially in school gymnasiums, but due to concerns about mercury vapors, is not used.
Hazards
Contact with phenylmercuric acetate can cause allergic reactions.
, such as
erythema
Erythema (from the Greek , meaning red) is redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation. Examples of erythema not asso ...
and contact
urticaria
Hives, also known as urticaria, is a kind of skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps. Hives may burn or sting. The patches of rash may appear on different body parts, with variable duration from minutes to days, and does not leave any long-last ...
syndrome.
plays a crucial role in contact urticaria syndrome pathogenesis.
A rare side effect of phenylmercuric acetate in eye drops is mercurialentis, the buildup of pigment on the anterior capsule of the lens. This has been estimated to affect 18 of 500 patients who have used eye drops containing phenylmercuric acetate two to four times a day for more than six years. The pigmentation is not associated with visual impairment nor any ocular abnormalities.
See also
*
Phenylmercuric borate
Phenylmercuric borate is a topical antiseptic and disinfectant that is soluble in water, ethanol and glycerol
Glycerol (), also called glycerine in British English and glycerin in American English, is a simple triol compound. It is a colorle ...
*
Phenylmercuric nitrate
Phenylmercuric nitrate is an organomercury compound with powerful antiseptic and antifungal effects. It was once commonly used as a topical solution for disinfecting wounds, but as with all organomercury compounds it is highly toxic, especially ...
References
{{Mercury compounds
Organomercury compounds
Phenyl compounds