General Description
AMMONIUM THIOCYANATE(1762-95-4) is a colorless crystalline solid. AMMONIUM THIOCYANATE(1762-95-4) is soluble in water. The primary hazard is the threat posed to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. AMMONIUM THIOCYANATE(1762-95-4) is used in chemical analysis, in photography, as a fertilizer, and for many other uses.
Reactivity Profile
AMMONIUM THIOCYANATE can release ammonia vapors if mixed with a chemical base or with an acid. Violent or explosive reactions have occurred when thiocyanates are mixed with oxidizing agents (such as chlorates(potassium chlorate), nitrates, nitric acid, and peroxides). Nitric acid violently oxidized a thiocyanate solution [Bretherick 1979 p. 121]. An explosion of guanidine nitrate demolished an autoclave built to withstand 50 atmospheres, in which AMMONIUM THIOCYANATE was being made from ammonium thiocyanate and lead nitrate [C. Angew. Chem. 49:23 1936].
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Health Hazard
Inhalation of dust causes irritation of nose and throat. Ingestion causes dizziness, cramps, nervous disturbances. Dust irritates eyes. Can be absorbed through skin; prolonged contact may produce various skin eruptions, dizziness, cramps, nausea, and mild to severe disturbance of the nervous system.
Potential Exposure
It has many uses in making matches,
fabric processing; metals processing; chemical manufacturing,
electroplating; zinc coating; liquid rocket propellents,
fabric dyeing, polymerization catalyst, in photography.
Used as a laboratory chemical. May be used as an agricultural
chemical: herbicides, weed killers, defoliants.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Decomposes to form ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen cyanide. Oxides of nitrogen may also form. All of these products are toxic.
First aid
Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency
medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim
ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration
with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way
valve or other proper respiratory medical device.
Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and
isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact
with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running
water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact,
avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim
warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion
or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that
medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved
and take precautions to protect themselves. Medical observation
is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing
overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As
first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic
may consider administering a drug or other inhalation
therapy.
Shipping
UN2672 Ammonia solutions, relative density
between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15 C in water, with . 10 %
but not . 35 % ammonia, Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-
Corrosive material. UN3082 Environmentally hazardous
substances, liquid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-
Miscellaneous hazardous material, Technical Name
Required. UN3077 Environmentally hazardous substances,
solid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous
hazardous material, Technical Name Required.
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates,
nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine,
bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions.
Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases,
strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. Acts as an acid; incompatible
with lead nitrate, chlorates, nitric acid, acid, acid
fumes. In the presence of moisture, this chemical is corrosive
to brass, copper, iron. Ammonium thiocyanate liquor
can release ammonia vapors if mixed with a chemical base
or with an acid. Violent or explosive reactions have
occurred when thiocyanates are mixed with oxidizing
agents . Nitric acid violently oxidized a
thiocyanate solution . An explosion
of guanidine nitrate demolished an autoclave built to withstand
50 atmospheres, in which it was being made from
ammonium thiocyanate and lead nitrate .
Description
Ammonium thiocyanate is a colorless solid which absorbs moisture and becomes liquid. Molecularweight= 76.12; Boiling point= 115℃; Freezing/Meltingpoint=160℃, decomposes at 170℃; Heat of solution=3.1 3 105 J/kg. Hazard Identification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 2, Flammability 1,Reactivity 1, Corrosive. Soluble in water.
Waste Disposal
Consult with environmental
regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal
practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant
(≥100 kg/mo) must conform with EPA regulations governing
storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal.
Slowly add to large container of water. Stir in slight excess
of soda ash. Decant or siphon liquid from sludge, neutralize
with HCl and flush to sewer. Sludge may be landfilled.
Definition
ammonium thiocyanate: A colourless, soluble crystalline compound,NH4NCS. It is made by theaction of hydrogen cyanide on ammoniumsulphide or from ammoniaand carbon disulphide in ethanol. Onheating, it turns into its isomerthiourea, SC(NH2)2. Its solutions givea characteristic blood-red colour withiron(III) compounds and so are employedas a test for ferric iron. Ammoniumthiocyanate is used as arapid fixative in photography and asan ingredient in making explosives.
Preparation
(NH4)2S is obtained from reacting hydrogen sulfide with excess of ammonia:
H2S + 2NH3 → (NH4)2S.
Production Methods
Ammonium thiocyanate (plus ammonium sulfide) [CAS: 12135-76-1] may be made by reaction of ammonia and carbon disulfide, a reaction which probably accounts for the presence of ammonium thiocyanate in the products of the destructive distillation of coal. This reaction corresponds to the formation of ammonium cyanate from ammonia and carbon dioxide.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
storage
Color Code—White: Corrosive or Contact Hazard;Store separately in a corrosion-resistant location. Prior to nitrate, since violent reactions occur. Store in tightly closedcontainers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from moisture, acid, acid fumes, or chlorine because toxic fumes arereleased. Where possible, automatically pump liquid fromdrums or other storage containers to process containers.working with this chemical you should be trained on itsproper handling and storage. Ammonium thiocyanate mustbe stored to avoid contact with Potassium chlorate and Lead
Purification Methods
Crystallise it three times from dilute HClO4 to give material optically transparent at wavelengths longer than 270nm. It has also been crystallised from absolute MeOH or from acetonitrile.
