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nitromersol

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Also known as metaphenol

Nitromersol (metaphen) is a mercury-containing organic compound that is primarily used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is a brown-yellow solid that has no odor or taste, does not irritate the skin or mucous membranes, and has no impact on rubber or metallic instruments, including surgical and dental tools.

Wikidata facts

Subclass of
organomercury
Mass
352.998
Show 3 more facts
chemical formula
C₇H₅HgNO₃
canonical SMILES
CC1=C2C(=C(C=C1)[N+](=O)[O-])[Hg]O2
Commons category
Nitromersol
Sources (2)

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Encyclopedic overview

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Nitromersol (metaphen) is a mercury-containing organic compound that is primarily used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is a brown-yellow solid that has no odor or taste, does not irritate the skin or mucous membranes, and has no impact on rubber or metallic instruments, including surgical and dental tools.

This compound is a confirmed animal carcinogen. It can emit toxic fumes of NOx and mercury vapor when heated. In 1998, use of nitromersol (and other mercury-containing products) as OTC first-aid antiseptics and products for diaper rash and vaginal contraceptives was disallowed by the FDA. Nitromersol can cause hypersensitivity reactions.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “nitromersol” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

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