HgF2
mercury(II) fluoride · mercuric fluoride
Mercury(II) fluoride is a stable, semiconducting inorganic compound primarily utilized as a selective fluorinating agent in chemical synthesis.

About mercury(II) fluoride
Mercury(II) fluoride is a binary inorganic compound that exists as a thermodynamically stable phase on the convex hull. Its semiconducting electronic character distinguishes it within the broader landscape of mercury-based halides, reflecting a unique balance of ionic and covalent bonding interactions.
This material is highly valued in chemical synthesis for its ability to act as a selective fluorinating agent. Due to its well-documented structural behavior and stability, it serves as a reliable reagent in laboratory settings where precise control over halogen exchange processes is required.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for mercury(II) fluoride, aggregated across 3 databases.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Applications
Where mercury(II) fluoride is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about mercury(II) fluoride, answered from cross-validated data.
What is HgF2?
Mercury(II) fluoride is a stable, semiconducting inorganic compound primarily utilized as a selective fluorinating agent in chemical synthesis.
What is HgF2 used for?
What is the band gap of HgF2?
Is HgF2 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is HgF2 thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of HgF2 are known?
What elements does HgF2 contain?
Where does the data for HgF2 come from?
How It Compares
As a member of the mercury halide family, mercury(II) fluoride occupies a distinct niche due to its high thermodynamic stability and specific reactivity profile. Unlike its lighter or heavier halogen counterparts, this fluoride exhibits a unique structural versatility, supported by a vast body of experimental and computational data that confirms its reliability for specialized chemical applications.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
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