Mercury (CED0000003)

Record Information

Version

1.0

Creation Date

2009-03-06 18:57:54 UTC

Update Date

2026-04-06 04:23:02 UTC

Accession Number

CHEM000003

Identification

Common Name

Mercury

Class

Small Molecule

Description

Mercury belongs to the homogeneous transition metal compounds, a class of homogeneous metal compounds within the inorganic compounds. It has the formula Hg and an average molecular weight of 200.59 g/mol. This exogenous compound is a liquid at room temperature. In industrial contexts, mercury is used as a surface modifier and is also categorized as a degradant or impurity. It is used in various plastics, including High-Density Polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene, Expanded polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyamide, Polyurethane, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and Polycarbonate. It is present in Polypropylene, Polystyrene, and High impact polystyrene, and is released in Polyethylene Terephthalate. Mercury is found in or released from 15 recorded sources, including electrical and electronic equipment such as antennas, adjustable resistors, discharge lamps, discharge tubes with liquid pool cathodes, and electric switches. It is also associated with food, food processing, and cookware, specifically in food contact materials, the processing of meats and fish, the treatment of hops, and molasses and the treatment of molasses. Recorded exposure routes include touch, oral, and inhalation. Biologically, mercury acts as a neurotoxin. It targets several proteins to exert its effects. By inhibiting alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) and protein kinase C (including PRKCA, PRKCB, PRKCD, and PRKCE), it alters the blood-brain barrier and impairs brain microvascular function. It inhibits aquaporins, such as AQP1 and MIP, which halts water flow across cell membranes, leading to cell death. Furthermore, it inhibits the protein LCK, causing immune system depression and decreased T-cell signalling. Organic mercury binds to tubulin (including TUBA4B, TUBA1A, TUBA1B, and TUBA1C), preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. Other protein targets include SELENOP, TXN, and SLC6A2.

Contaminant Type

Cosmetic Toxin
Food Toxin
Household Toxin
Human Neurotoxin
Industrial/Workplace Toxin
Inorganic Compound
Mercury Compound
Metabolite
Metal
Natural Compound
Pollutant

Chemical Structure

MOL SDF PDB SMILES InChI

Synonyms

Value	Source
HG2+	ChEBI
HG(2+)	ChEBI
Mercuric ion	ChEBI
MERCURY (II) ion	ChEBI
Mercury(2+) ion	ChEBI
Mercury(II)	ChEBI
Mercury(II) cation	ChEBI
Hg	HMDB
Hydrargyrum	HMDB
Quicksilver	HMDB

Chemical Formula

Average Molecular Mass

200.590 g/mol

Monoisotopic Mass

201.971 g/mol

CAS Registry Number

7439-97-6

IUPAC Name

mercury(2+) ion

Traditional Name

mercury(2+) ion

SMILES

[Hg++]

InChI Identifier

InChI=1S/Hg/q+2

InChI Key

BQPIGGFYSBELGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Chemical Taxonomy

Description

Belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous transition metal compounds. These are inorganic compounds containing only metal atoms,with the largest atom being a transition metal atom.

Kingdom

Inorganic compounds

Super Class

Homogeneous metal compounds

Class

Homogeneous transition metal compounds

Sub Class

Not Available

Direct Parent

Homogeneous transition metal compounds

Alternative Parents

Inorganic mercury compounds

Substituents

Homogeneous transition metal
Inorganic mercury compound

Molecular Framework

Not Available

External Descriptors

monoatomic dication (CHEBI:16793 )
divalent metal cation (CHEBI:16793 )
mercury cation (CHEBI:16793 )
a cation (HG+2 )

Biological Properties

Status

Detected and Not Quantified

Origin

Exogenous

Cellular Locations

Cytoplasm
Extracellular

Biofluid Locations

Not Available

Tissue Locations

Not Available

Applications

Not Available

Biological Roles

neurotoxin

Chemical Roles

Not Available

Organoleptic Effects

Not Available

Physical Properties

State

Liquid

Appearance

Silver metallic liquid.

Experimental Properties

Property	Value
Melting Point	-38.8°C
Boiling Point	356.73°C (674.1°F)
Solubility	6e-05 mg/mL at 25°C

Predicted Properties

Property	Value	Source
logP	0.62	ChemAxon
Physiological Charge	2	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count	0	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count	0	ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area	0 Å²	ChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count	0	ChemAxon
Refractivity	0 m³·mol⁻¹	ChemAxon
Polarizability	1.78 Å³	ChemAxon
Number of Rings	0	ChemAxon
Bioavailability	Yes	ChemAxon
Rule of Five	Yes	ChemAxon
Ghose Filter	No	ChemAxon
Veber's Rule	Yes	ChemAxon
MDDR-like Rule	No	ChemAxon

Spectra

Spectrum Type	Description	Splash Key	Deposition Date	View
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-0udi-0090000000-33aeb28729a68ca87d81	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-0udi-0090000000-33aeb28729a68ca87d81	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-0udi-0090000000-33aeb28729a68ca87d81	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-0udi-0090000000-7286de41946b3f81e02d	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-0udi-0090000000-7286de41946b3f81e02d	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-0udi-0090000000-7286de41946b3f81e02d	Not Available	View Spectrum

Toxicity Profile

Mechanism of Toxicity

High-affinity binding of the divalent mercuric ion to thiol or sulfhydryl groups of proteins is believed to be the major mechanism for the activity of mercury. Through alterations in intracellular thiol status, mercury can promote oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and changes in heme metabolism. Mercury is known to bind to microsomal and mitochondrial enzymes, resulting in cell injury and death. For example, mercury is known to inhibit aquaporins, halting water flow across the cell membrane. It also inhibits the protein LCK, which causes decreased T-cell signalling and immune system depression. Mercury is also believed to inhibit neuronal excitability by acting on the postsynaptic neuronal membrane. It also affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C and alkaline phosphatase, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. Mercury also produces an autoimmune response, likely by modification of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, self peptides, T-cell receptors, or cell-surface adhesion molecules. (11, 4, 5, 6) Chronic exposure by inhalation, even at low concentrations in the range 0.7–42 μg/m3, has been shown in case control studies to cause effects such as tremors, impaired cognitive skills, and sleep disturbance in workers. (9).

Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)

3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. (15)

Minimum Risk Level

Chronic Inhalation: 0.0002 mg/m3 (14)

Symptoms

Common symptoms include peripheral neuropathy (presenting as paresthesia or itching, burning or pain), skin discoloration (pink cheeks, fingertips and toes), edema (swelling), and desquamation (dead skin peels off in layers). (1)

Treatment

Mercury poisoning is treated by immediate decontamination and chelation therapy using DMSA, DMPS, DPCN, or dimercaprol. (3) Identifying and removing the source of the mercury is crucial. Decontamination requires removal of clothes, washing skin with soap and water, and flushing the eyes with saline solution as needed. Inorganic ingestion such as mercuric chloride should be approached as the ingestion of any other serious caustic. Immediate chelation therapy is the standard of care for a patient showing symptoms of severe mercury poisoning or the laboratory evidence of a large total mercury load. Chelation therapy for acute inorganic mercury poisoning can be done with DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid), 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS), D-penicillamine (DPCN), or dimercaprol (BAL). Only DMSA is FDA-approved for use in children for treating mercury poisoning.

Toxicity Values

Not Available

Health Effects

Health Effect	Relationship	Direction	Reference

Exposure Sources

Source ID	Source	Sector	Reference
494	Food contact materials	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
504	Adjustable Resistors	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
506	Antennas	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
514	Discharge Lamps	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
515	Discharge Tubes With Liquid Pool Cathodes	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
517	Electric Switches	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
518	Electrically Stimulated Smoking Devices	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
523	Gas Filled Discharge Tubes With Solid Cathode	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
527	Magnets	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
530	Radio Transmission Systems	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
531	Relays	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
546	Molasses And Treatment Of Molasses	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
551	Processing Fish	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
552	Processing Meats	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
553	Treatment Of Hops	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
579	Manufacture Of Iron Or Steel	Industrial manufacturing & chemical processing	Not Available
643	Headwear	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
657	Surface Finishing Of Leather	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
659	Transfer Printing	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available

Pathways

0 pathways

No pathways found

No metabolic pathways have been associated with this synthetic chemical

Targets

Structure	Protein	UniProt ID	Organism	Relationship	Details
Click to view 3D structure	Alkaline phosphatase, tissue-nonspecific isozyme	P05186	Humans	Known	Mercury affects the nervous system by inhibiting alkaline phosphatase, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Aquaporin-1	P29972	Humans	Known	Mercury is known to inhibit aquaporins, halting water flow across the cell membrane and resulting in cell injury and death. (A26)
Click to view 3D structure	Lens fiber major intrinsic protein	P30301	Humans	Known	Mercury is known to inhibit aquaporins, halting water flow across the cell membrane and resulting in cell injury and death. (A26)
Click to view 3D structure	Protein kinase C alpha type	P17252	Humans	Known	Mercury affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Protein kinase C beta type	P05771	Humans	Known	Mercury affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Protein kinase C delta type	Q05655	Humans	Known	Mercury affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Protein kinase C epsilon type	Q02156	Humans	Known	Mercury affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Protein kinase C iota type	P41743	Humans	Known	Mercury affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Protein kinase C theta type	Q04759	Humans	Known	Mercury affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin-like protein alpha-4B	Q9H853	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Selenoprotein P	P49908	Humans	Known	Not Available
Click to view 3D structure	Sodium-dependent noradrenaline transporter	P23975	Humans	Known	Not Available
Click to view 3D structure	Thioredoxin	P10599	Humans	Known	Not Available
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin alpha-1A chain	Q71U36	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin alpha-1B chain	P68363	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin alpha-1C chain	Q9BQE3	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin alpha-3E chain	Q6PEY2	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin alpha-4A chain	P68366	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin alpha-8 chain	Q9NY65	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin beta chain	P07437	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin beta-1 chain	Q9H4B7	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin beta-2A chain	Q13885	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin beta-2B chain	Q9BVA1	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin beta-3 chain	Q13509	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin beta-4A chain	P04350	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin beta-4B chain	P68371	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin beta-6 chain	Q9BUF5	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin delta chain	Q9UJT1	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin epsilon chain	Q9UJT0	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tubulin gamma-1 chain	P23258	Humans	Known	Organic mercury exerts developmental effects by binding to tubulin, preventing microtubule assembly and causing mitotic inhibition. (L7)
Click to view 3D structure	Tyrosine-protein kinase Lck	P06239	Humans	Known	Mercury inhibits the protein LCK, which causes decreased T-cell signalling and immune system depression. (A25)