Enhancement of the reducing properties of metallic mercury in presence of complex forming ions

The reducing properties of metallic mercury in solutions containing ions forming precipitates or complexes with mercuric or mercurous ions have been studied.The reducing power of mercury in the presence of thiocyanate is greatly enhanced, and it is similar to that in the presence of hydrochloric acid. The effects of the thiocyanate and ferric concentrations have been examined. To reduce a 0.01 M solution of ferric ion without forming a precipitate of mercurous thiocyanate, a concentration of thiocyanate of at least 0.05 M is required. The action of mercurythiocyanate system on some oxidising substances has been studied. The most important reaction is the reduction of ferric ions. The method has been applied to the determination of iron on macro and semimicroscale and good results have been obtained.The reducing power of metallic mercury in the presence of cyanide has also been examined. In general it acts as a strong reducer in alkaline medium. Atmospheric oxygen is reduced partially to water and hydrogen peroxide. Ferricyanide is reduced quantitatively to ferrocyanide. The action of metallic mercury in the presence of cyanide on other oxidising substances has also been examined.