Weegy: Hg2(2+) is something that mercury can form, Hg+ is the element for mercury itself.
Xe]6s2-4f14-5d10 is Hg's valence electron configuration.
For Hg+ its one of the two 6s electrons lost, so become 6s1. Thus, Hg+ is a radical, unstable. [ when it forms dimer through a Hg-Hg bond, the 6s orbital will bear two electrons (one is its own, the other is from another Hg+). Thus, Hg2 2+ is more stable. ]
User: When the Hg2 2+ ion disproportionates, why does it become Hg(s) and Hg2+ ion rather than form species with some other oxidation numbers?
(More) 3
When the Hg2 2+ ion disproportionates, it become Hg(s) and Hg2+ ion rather than form species with some other oxidation numbers: Hg can have only two oxidation numbers +1 and +2, because when it loses 2 electrons it becomes stable ( completely filled 5d sublevels).So it cannot lose more electrons to attain higher oxidation numbers.
Added 7/9/2023 12:42:19 AM
This answer has been confirmed as correct and helpful.
