Chemical Properties
White, crystalline double salt of copper
cyanide and potassium cyanide; copper content min
25.8%; free potassium cyanide 1.25–3.0%.
Uses
In electroplating copper and brass.
General Description
A white crystalline solid. Denser than water. Contact may cause irritation to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion and inhalation.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Reactivity Profile
CUPROUS POTASSIUM CYANIDE is an inorganic cyanide. Members of this class that contain heavy metals tend to explosive instability, most of them are capable of violent oxidation under certain condition; fusion of metal cyanides with metal chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates or nitrites can cause violent explosions [Bretherick 1979. p. 101].
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
Safety Profile
A poison. When heated
to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of
CN-.
