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Question 68 of 91

Q.What is Nessler’s reagent?

Maharashtra MsbshseMaharashtra HSC (MSBSHSE) Board 2019Subjective· 1mImportance★★★★★
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Nessler's reagent, K2[HgI4]K_2[HgI_4] in KOH, gives a brown precipitate/colouration with ammonia — a classic coordination-complex-based analytical test.

Nessler's reagent is prepared by dissolving mercury(II) chloride and potassium iodide in excess KI (forming the tetraiodomercurate(II) complex ion [HgI4]2−[HgI_4]^{2-}) and making the solution strongly alkaline with KOH. When treated with a trace of ammonia or ammonium salt, it produces a characteristic yellow-to-brown colouration or precipitate (an iodide of Millon's base, [Hg2N]I⋅H2O[Hg_2N]I\cdot H_2O-type spe …

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