Mercury(II) Oxide Decomposition
Mercury(II) Oxide Decomposition: Lavoisier used this to discover oxygen's role in combustion. Step-by-step mechanism, reagents and practice.
What happens
Lavoisier used this to discover oxygen's role in combustion.
Reaction summary
2HgO → 2Hg + O₂
Reagents and conditions
- Starting material: HgO
- Conditions: Heat (>500°C)
- Products: Hg; O₂