It is also called Mercury(II) chloride, or Mercury dichloride, or Dichloromercury. It is highly a toxic compound and is corrosive to mucous membranes. It is widely used as a disinfectant, antiseptic, fungicide, wood preservative. Mercury dichloride is odourless crystalline solid white in colour.
Used in photography, disinfectants, wood preservatives, fungicides. Mercury chloride (HgCl2) is a highly toxic compound that volatizes slightly at ordinary temperature and appreciably at 100 degrees C. It is corrosive to mucous membranes and used as a topical antiseptic and disinfectant.
Mercuric chloride is used as disinfectant to remove the surface microorganisms. The result showed that the increasing concentration of mercuric chloride inhibit the growth of bacteria efficiently with increasing contact time.
Mercuric chloride is used in photography and as a topical antiseptic and disinfectant, wood preservative, and fungicide. In the past, mercurous chloride was widely used in medicinal products, including laxatives, worming medications, and teething powders. It has since been replaced by safer and more effective agents.