Chemical Properties
White, amorphous pieces or hygro-
scopic needles. Soluble in water, ammonia, and alco-
hol.
Physical properties
White crystal or amorphous powder; hygroscopic; density 3.60 g/cm3; melts at 350°C; very soluble in water, also soluble in alcohols.
Uses
Cadmium salts, photographic emulsions, col-
oring glass and porcelain, laboratory reagent, cad-
mium salts.
Preparation
reparation Cadmium nitrate is prepared by dissolving cadmium metal or its oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate, in nitric acid followed by crystallization:
CdO + 2HNO
3 → Cd(NO
3)
2 + H
2O.
Definition
ChEBI: An inorganic nitrate salt having Cd(2+) as the counterion.
General Description
Odorless white solid. Sinks in water.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Reactivity Profile
Mixtures of metal/nonmetal nitrates with alkyl esters may explode, owing to the formation of alkyl nitrates; mixtures a nitrate with phosphorus, tin (II) chloride, or other reducing agents may react explosively [Bretherick 1979 p. 108-109].
Hazard
Dangerous fire and explosion hazard.
Health Hazard
Inhalation of fumes can produce coughing, chest constriction, headache, nausea, vomiting, pneumonitis. Chronic poisoning is characterized by emphysema and kidney injury. Ingestion causes gastrointestinal disturbance and severe toxic symptoms; both kidney and liver injuries may occur. Contact with eyes causes irritation.
Safety Profile
Confirmed human
carcinogen. Poison by ingestion and possibly
other routes. Moderately toxic by inhalation.
Mutation data reported. When heated to
decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of
Cd and NOx. See also CADMIUM
COMPOUNDS and NITRATES.
