Year: 1888

page_text: We, LOUIS MERCK and ERNST MENNEL both of 77 Wienerstrasse Darmstadt German
Empire Doctors of Chemistry do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the production of mercury compounds with phenols by the
application of an acid solution of salt of mercury.
The following compounds are known in this connection viz. that of Schadeck con-
sisting of an amorphous yellowish to white combination of oxyde of mercury with
carbolic acid or carbolate (or phenolate) of hydrargyrum, which may be termed
hydrargyrum carbolicum oxydatum produced by the deposition of an attenuated
watery solution of corrosive sublimate (or protochloride of mercury) by a concentrated
alcoholic solution of potassium-phenol; secondly the mercury phenol salt described by
Romei obtained as a red deposit from the potassic salt of phenol and the
sublimate and thirdly the basic mercury thymolsalt of Lallemand obtained in an
analogous manner.
In the above known processes a neutral solution in water of corrosive sublimate or
protochloride of mercury is used.
But according to the process forming the subject of this invention the mercury
thymolsalt or the mercury salts of the other phenols are produced by means of an
acid solution of nitrate of mercury whereby a crystalline salt is obtained and often (for
instance with ẞ naphtol and resorcin) only a microcrystalline salt. In the other
processes for instance in that of Schadeck an amorphous powder only is obtained..
The process in question may suitably be carried into effect as follows:-
A warm solution of nitrate of mercury somewhat acidulated with nitric acid is
introduced in small quantities into a warm alkaline thymol solution while shaken so
long as the yellow deposit thus produced will just rédissolve so that by violent shaking
a slight cloudy appearance remains. The liquid is then left at rest to cool whereby it
is formed into a crystalline mass consisting of small felted colourless needles of
mercury thymolate. As this compound is pretty easily soluble in thin soda lye
especially by heat it may be cleansed by recrystallisation from the lye.

page_text: If acid be added to such an alkaline solution of the mercury thymolsalt the latter will
separate therefrom again because it dissolves therein with difficulty. In consequence of
this lattor quality the process described may be modified for instance by putting the
warm slightly acidulated solution of nitrate of mercury into an alcoholic solution of
thymol. The mixture in cooling also coagulates into a pulpy mass of small weak
colourless felted needles. This modification is so far advantageous as the alkaline
thymol solution not only easily turns dark so that the product does not show a pure
white but also causes the formation of nitrate of soda which can only be removed by
protracted washing.
The pure mercury thymolsalt is quite free from colour and smell, but takes a reddish
hue after standing some time, especially by daylight, and then also acquires a slight
thymol smell. The salt is thus easy to decompose.
Various other phenols produce analogous compounds such for instance as resorcin
and ẞ naphtol the deposits produced are yellow and micro-crystalline, and are dis-
tinguished from thymol-mercury by dissolving easier in acids.

page_text: Improvements in the Production of Mercury Compounds.
We LOUIS MERCK and ERNST MENNEL both of 77 Wienerstrasse Darmstadt German
Empire Doctors of Chemistry do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the production of compounds of mercury with phenols of
one or more atomic equivalents by the application of acid solutions of salts of mercury
in combination with which salts the aforesaid mercury phenol compounds are obtained.
The products obtained may therefore be termed double salts of the mercury salts
used and of the combinations of the mercury with the phenols of one or more atomic
equivalents.
The following compounds are known in this connection viz. that of Schadeck con-
sisting of an amorphous, yellowish to white, so called hydrargyrum carbolicum
oxydatum produced by the deposition of an attenuated watery solution of a corrosive
sublimate or protochloride of mercury by a concentrated alcoholic solution of potassium
phenol; secondly the mercury phenol salt described by Romei obtained as a red
deposit from the potassic salt of phenol and corrosive sublimate or protochloride of
mercury and thirdly the basic mercury thymolsalt of Lallemand obtained in an
analogous manner.
In the above known processes a neutral watery solution of corrosive sublimate or
of protochloride of mercury is used.
But according to the process forming the subject of this invention the mercury
thymol double salt or the mercury double salts of the other phenols are produced by
means of an acid solution of nitrate of mercury whereby a crystalline salt is obtained
and often (for instance with ẞ naphtol and resorcin) only a microcrystalline salt.
In the other processes for instance in that of Schadeck an amorphous powder is
obtained.
Analyses and experiments shew that the compounds produced according to this
invention are double salts of the mercury phenolates with a mercury salt. Thus for
instance if I use a inercury nitrate and thymol a salt according to the following
formula is produced :
If I use mercury acetate and thymol a salt according to the following formula is
obtained.

page_text: The process in question may suitably be carried into effect as follows:-
A warm solution of nitrate of mercury somewhat acidulated with nitric acid is
introduced in small quantities into a warm alkaline thymol solution while shaken so
long as the yellow deposit thus produced will just redissolve so that by violent shaking
a slight cloudy appearance remains. The liquid is then left at rest to cool, whereby it
is separated or formed into a crystalline mass consisting of small felted colourless needles
of the double compound mercury thymolate-mercury nitrate. As this compound is
pretty easily soluble in thin soda lye especially by heat it may be cleansed by re-
crystallisation from the lye.
If acid be added to such an alkaline solution of the mercury thymol double salt the
latter will separate therefrom again because it dissolves therein with difficulty. In
consequence of this latter quality the process described may be modified for instance
by putting the warm slightly acidulated solution of nitrate of mercury into an alcoholic
solution of thymol. The mixture in cooling also coagulates into a pulpy mass of weak
colourless felted needles. This modification is so far advantageous as the alkaline
thymol solution not only casily turns dark so that the product does not show a pure
white but also causes the formation of nitrate of soda which can only be removed by
protracted washing.
The pure mercury thymol double salt is quite free from colour and smell, but takes a
reddish hue after standing some time, especially by daylight, and then also acquires a
slight thymol smell. The salt is thus easy to decompose.
Various other phenols produce analogous compounds such for instance as phenol
resorcin and ẞ naphtol; the deposits produced are yellow and microcrystalline and are
distinguished from thymol mercury double salt, by dissolving easier in acids. Various
other mercury salts (for instance mercury acetate) may also be used, instead of
mercury nitrate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
The production of double salts consisting of compounds of mercury with phenols of one
or more atomic equivalents and a mercury salt by the application of an acid solution of
mercury salt substantially as set forth.
Dated this 24th day of November 1888.
LOUIS MERCK.
ERNST MENNEL. ย
By Jensen & Son,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.