557-19-7

green powder

NICKEL CYANIDE is an apple-green powder or a green crystalline solid. Insoluble in water. Toxic by inhalation and by ingestion. Carcinogenic. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen in fires.

Insoluble in water.

NICKEL CYANIDE is thermally unstable and easily oxidized. Weakly basic. Liberates flammable and lethally poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas on contact with acids or acid fumes. Undergoes violent reactions with fluorine, hypochlorites, nitric acid, nitrates, nitrites. Undergoes an explosive reaction if melted with nitrites or chlorates (at about 450°C). Emits highly toxic cyanide fumes when heated to decomposition. [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 360, 912]. Undergoes an incandescent reaction if heated with magnesium [Mellor, 1940, vol. 4, p. 271].

DUST: POISONOUS IF INHALED. Irritating to eyes, nose and throat. SOLID: POISONOUS IF SWALLOWED. Irritating to skin and eyes.

Not flammable.

Highly toxic.

Nickel cyanide is used in metallurgy, electroplating and making other chemicals.

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility for medical observation, up to 2 days and test for urine nickel. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Medical observation is recommended for 24 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. Use amyl nitrate capsules if symptoms develop. All area employees should be trained regularly in emergency measures for cyanide poisoning and in CPR. A cyanide antidote kit should be kept in the immediate work area and must be rapidly available. Kit ingredients should be replaced every 1 2 years to ensure freshness. Persons trained in the use of this kit; oxygen use, and CPR must be quickly available.

UN1653 Nickel cyanide, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials. and equipped in OSHA 1910.156. The only respirators recommended for fire fighting are SCBAs that have full facepieces and are operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

Nnickel cyanide is thermally unstable and easily oxidized. Weakly basic. Liberates flammable and lethally poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas on contact with acids or acid fumes. Undergoes violent reactions with fluorine, hypochlorites, nitric acid, nitrates, nitrites. Undergoes an explosive reaction if melted with nitrites or chlorates (at about 450 C). Violent reaction with magnesium. Keep away from acids, active metals, heat, or CO2; contact can cause release of toxic cyanide gas.

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.

The tetrahydrate, Ni(CN)₂?4H₂O constitutes apple green plates or powder; loses water of crystallization on heating at 200°C; decomposes on further heating; insoluble in water; slightly soluble in dilute acids; soluble in potassium cyanide solution and in ammonia, caustic soda, caustic potash and other bases.

Nickel cyanide is prepared by treating a soluble nickel salt, such as nickel chloride or nickel sulfate, with potassium cyanide solution: Ni²+ + 2CNˉ → Ni(CN)₂
The product is a tetrahydrate, Ni(CN)₂?4H₂O, which on heating at 200°C yields yellow-brown anhydrous salt, Ni(CN)₂.

The most interesting reaction of nickel(II) cyanide is the formation of clathrate compounds in the presence of ammonia. When a solution of Ni(CN)2 in aqueous ammonia is shaken with benzene, a pale violet precipitate of the benzene clathrate Ni(CN)2?NH3?C6H6 is obtained. In this compound the Ni and CN groups form layers with ammonia molecules bonded above and below the planes of the layers on alternate nickel atoms. Thus half the nickel atoms are octahedrally surrounded by nitrogen (Ni-N=2.15 ?, N1-NH3 = 2.06 à) and half are planar 4-coordinated by carbon (Ni-C=1.76?). The benzene molecules occupy the holes (cages) formed between the layers. The average magnetic moment per nickel atom is 2.2 BM, and it has thus been established that the 4- coordinate nickel atoms are diamagnetic while the 6-coordinate atoms are paramagnetic with two unpaired electron spins.