General Description
A white powder. Insoluble in water. Toxic by inhalation (dust and the hydrogen cyanide from slight decomposition) and by ingestion. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen in fires. Used in medicine, in metal plating, and in chemical analysis.
Reactivity Profile
ZINC CYANIDE(557-21-1) is decomposed by acids to give off hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poisonous gas. Tends to explosive instability. Capable of violent oxidation under certain condition; fusion with metal chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates or nitrites can cause explosions [Bretherick, 1979 p. 101]. Reacts with incandescence with magnesium [Mellor, 1940, Vol. 4, 271].
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Health Hazard
EYES: Causes eye burns. SKIN: Irritation. INGESTION OR INHALATION: A bitter, acrid burning taste is sometimes noted followed by a feeling of constriction or numbness in the throat. Salivation and nausea are not unusual, but vomiting is rare. Anxiety, confusion, vertigo, giddiness and often a sensation of stiffness in the lower jaw. Hypernea and dyspnea. Rapid respiration, then slow and irregular. Unconsciousness, convulsions, death from respiratory arrest.
Potential Exposure
Used in pharmaceuticals and medicine.
Also used in metal plating, and as a laboratory
chemical.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways.
First aid
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. Dust: POISONO
United States IF INHALED OR IF SKIN IS EXPOSED.
Move to fresh air. IF BREATHING HAS STOPPED, give
artificial respiration; avoid mouth-to-mouth resuscitation;
use bag/mask apparatus. IF breathing is difficult, administer
oxygen. Solid: POISONO United States IF
SWALLOWED OR IF SKIN IS EXPOSED. Irritating to
eyes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Flush
affected areas with plenty of water. IF IN EYES, hold eyelids
open and flush with plenty of water. IF SWALLOWED
and victim is CONSCIO United States AND ABLE TO
SWALLOW, have victim drink 4 to 8 oz of water and have
victim induce vomiting. IF SWALLOWED and victim is
UNCONSCIO United States OR HAVING CONVULSIONS,
do nothing except keep victim warm.
Shipping
UN1713 Zinc cyanide, Hazard Class: 6.1;
Labels: 6.1-Poisonous material.
Incompatibilities
Releases hydrogen cyanide on contact
with moisture including humidity in air. Tends to explosive
instability; possible explosion when heated rapidly.
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. Contact with acids and/or acid salts and
alcohols will release highly toxic and flammable hydrogen
cyanide gas. Incompatible with reducing agents, alcohols,
glycols, combustible materials, ethers, hydrazines, organic
substances, metal powders. Capable of violent oxidation
under certain condition; fusion with metal chlorates, perchlorates,
nitrates or nitrites can cause explosions.
Chemical Properties
Colorless crystalline solid or white powder.
Slight, bitter almond odor. Sinks in water; insoluble.
Waste Disposal
Consult with environmental
regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal
practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant
(≥100 kg/mo) must conform to EPA regulations governing
storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal. In
accordance with 40CFR165, follow recommendations for
the disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers. Must be
disposed properly by following package label directions or
by contacting your local or federal environmental control
agency, or by contacting your regional EPA office. Add
strong alkaline hypochlorite and react for 24 hours. Then
flush to sewer with large volumes of water.
Physical properties
White powder; orthorhombic crystals; density 1.852 g/cm3; decomposes at 800°C; insoluble in water (about 5mg/L at 20°C); soluble in alkalies, potassium cyanide and ammonia solutions; insoluble in alcohol.
Uses
Zinc cyanide is used in electroplating and as a reagent.
Uses
Zinc cyanide is used in electroplating; as an insecticide; and for separating ammonia from producer gas.
Hazard
The compound is toxic by oral and intraperitoneal routes. The intraperitoneal lethal dose in rat is 100 mg/kg.
Flammability and Explosibility
Notclassified
Purification Methods
It is a POISONOUS white powder which becomes black on standing if Mg(OH)2 and carbonate are not removed in the preparation. Thus, wash it well with H2O, then well with EtOH, Et2O and dry it in air at 50o. Analyse it by titrating the cyanide with standard AgNO3. Other likely impurities are ZnCl2, MgCl2 and traces of basic zinc cyanide; the first two salts can be washed out. It is soluble in aqueous KCN solutions. However, if purified in this way Zn(CN)2 is not reactive in the Gattermann synthesis. For this, the salt should contain at least 0.33 mols of KCl or NaCl which will allow the reaction to proceed faster. [Adams & Levine J Am Chem Soc 45 2375 1923, Arnold & Sorung J Am Chem Soc 60 1699 1938, Fuson et al. Org Synth Coll Vol III 549 1955.]
