A compound of this element with acetate reacts with alkenes to give alcohols with regioselectivity obeying Markovnikov's rule.
The Castner-Kellner process uses this element as a cathode to convert alkali halides to alkali hydroxides. This element and a solution of its chloride salt are used in the SCE, or saturated calomel electrode. A vapor of this element was used to confirm the existence of quantized energy states in the Franck-Hertz experiment. A compound of this element with acetate reacts with alkenes to give alcohols with regioselectivity obeying Markovnikov's rule. The reduction of carbonyl groups to alkanes can be achieved using a compound of this element with zinc, known as zinc amalgam, in the Clemmensen reaction. For 10 points, name this element whose sulfide ore is cinnabar, a metallic liquid that is found in old-school thermometers.
The Castner-Kellner process uses this element as a cathode to convert alkali halides to alkali hydroxides.
{mercury} or {Hg}